One year ago I flew out of NYC on my way to NZ. Leaving New York was always a mixed bag for me. One year later I still feel the same way. There are a lot of things I really liked about being there. Maybe the thing I liked most was just that, Being THERE! 6.5 years in the Big Apple. Being the hermit that I am, I never took advantage of it like I could/should have, but still...the energy of that city is different than anything I have experienced and I enjoyed many aspects of that. I liked the diversity most of all. Really every type of person you could ever expect to see you would see in NY on a daily basis. Walking down the street hearing the kaleidoscope of accents and languages was so great.

I never got over the intensity of feeling when I would see the skyline of Manhattan when driving in Queens. All of the different neighbourhoods with such distinct personalities. The unmatched variety of food. All of the little and not so little dogs.

Of course, beyond that were my friends I left behind. Not that I had so many, but I had a few that it is hard to be away from. Carrie was my best friend for 6 years and very difficult to walk away from that support and love. Paul was a great buddy and was almost enough to motivate me into being a healthier person. I think New Zealand itself has taken over for him, I'm really trying to stop being a couch potato. Nina, my friend that I would never see, but we always meant to spend more time together. Also, all of my other friends all over the states, it just feels that much less likely we'll see each other now that I am on the bottom of the world.

Honestly though, this was a move I still feel I had to make. Not just because I needed to be with Letlet (though that is more than reason enough), but because I needed to get away from it all. I have always wanted to really live somewhere else in the world and though in some ways Wellington New Zealand feels a lot like home (home being Portland and the pacific northwest), it is also a very different experience. I have not yet made close friends after a year here, but I do feel connected to people. I think I can belong here, that I can happily spend my life here.

I am returning to semi-regular posting. Will I still have any viewers?

The past six months have been quite full, so of course I did not blog any of it. Now that things seem to be mellowing I will return to the world of blogging. It is so much more fun to write when you have nothing to say.

The short version of the past half year is this, letlet arrives, looks and looks and looks for work, began work this very Monday with assorted wackiness in between. There is a new addition to our happy home name of Samson, I will put in pictures soon. I am still working in same place, we are all still living in same place but the home situation is likely to change before too much longer.

This is enough to get me started back. I will expand on all of these areas and more in the near future.

we're almost a week into the letlet and jon show. so far things are very very good. celeste has seen more of wellington in her first week than i did in my first month. we've been doing a lot of running around and she has been going to a lot of job interviews. the weather hasn't been great, but she's surviving, just wearing a lot of layers.

we've been shopping a bit for the apartment. getting the place more personalised by rearranging also.

today is a beautiful sunny day so we'll go to the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary and check out the wildlife (mostly consisting of birds). then tonight we're going to go see the Allah Made Me Funny show.

that's the story for now...

The day has arrived! In about 8 hours letlet will arrive in Wellington and one and a half years of planning will come to fruition. It is very exciting. I am taking the week off of work and renting a car so that we can have the freedom to do whatever appeals. The weather isn't quite what I hoped, but I suppose she better get used to some grey and rainy weather.

I was also on a jury a couple of weeks ago. We found a man not guilty of assault with a machete. That was an interesting introduction to the New Zealand justice system. Just a few days after that, I was driving up the motorway and this guy was really tailgating me closely. Finally he was able to get past me and then all of a sudden this truck seemed to be tailgating me too. I thought, what the hell is going on!!! Then lights started flashing and I realised that the truck was driven by a cop. So, long story short, the original tailgater and I were pulled over. I was a little confused as to why I was pulled over. Turns out that the cop wanted me to demonstrate how close the guy had been tailgating me. Another interesting introduction to NZ legal.

Otherwise it's just been work and laziness mixed in with trying to get the apartment presentable for letlet's arrival. Hard to imagine how completely different life will be starting today. I welcome the change. Though it is easy for me to become a hermit, I do not think it is the best lifestyle for me. At least now we can hermit together.

I hope everyone is doing well!

Just received the new Wellington region telephone books today. I am in the phonebook! Makes me feel like I really do live here. Also noticed there are only three people with my last name in the phonebook, even more interesting is that two of those three people work at Massey University.

That's about all I have for now...

Here I am! Didja miss me?

Okay, here's the news! In less than a month, if all goes as planned (and doesn't it always?), Let will be here to live out the remainder of her days in hellish cohabitation with me! I'm lazy, i'm a slob, i'm irritable and smelly. I don't like to leave the apartment for any reason and I snore! She is SOOOOOOO excited to be on her way to this!

I, on the other hand, am getting a great deal out of this. Not only am I going to be cohabiting with an incredibly hot, smart, motivated, successful woman, she also wants to cook for me! It's almost like i'm stuck in some crazy dreamworld.

The scary part for the future of New Zealand and the World is that she also wants to have a baby with me! What will come of this tri-cultural abomination? Born in kiwiland of an ami and a flip? I don't think it bodes well for the future of civilisation.

Other than that, working and enjoying it, scooting and enjoying it, watching movies and enjoying it. Waiting for the 6th season of the Sopranos to make its way to me somehow so I can enjoy it. I've been watching a lot of Colbert Nation and The Daily Show over the last few days to catch up on the fake news situation back in the states. I've also been listening to and watching Flight of the Conchords to see how two guys from Wellington are preparing to take over the USofA.

Today is probably the nicest day we've had in a few weeks. This just means that it's not raining, the temperature might be in the double digits, the wind isn't blowing my recycling bin down the walkway and the sun is making brief appearances from behind the clouds. It's progress! Spring will be here in no time. Proof of that is from my little mutant potted apple tree i have on our patio. It is growing many a leaf now, it makes me happy. Kinda wish it were inside though!

Wow, what a pile of...typing this is.

Thank you for your support.

jdr

My favourite NZ Bookmarks

feed://wellurban.blogspot.com/atom.xml

http://zoomin.co.nz/wellington/

http://www.wellingtonspca.org.nz/

http://home.nzcity.co.nz/tvnow/tvguide.asp

http://www.trademe.co.nz/category_index.htm

http://wellingtonista.com/

http://www.stuff.co.nz/

http://www.pricespy.co.nz/

http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,0a15a33,00.html

http://www.turners.co.nz/Branches/National/tabid/285/Default.aspx

http://www.solarhouseday.com/index01.shtml

http://www.move2nz.com/login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fmember%2fmymove2nz.aspx

http://firstin.co.nz/splash/index.php

http://www.ferrit.co.nz/home.asp

http://apple.co.nz/

Coming Soon!

A list of my favourite NZ links.

Also, today I get my scooter back. I visited it yesterday and it seemed happy. Now I will see if I can go more than 9 days without hurting the poor thing again. I believe it needs a name, if anyone has suggestions, please share!

Cheers,

JDR

has it been another month already? 4 months in NZ 2 months on job and all is well.

the biggest recent news is that letlet has heard from her visa officer and was offered a work-to-residency visa. she now needs to send in passport, a few docs and fees. then it will be processed and her visa will be sent back to her. she has booked a ticket for Nov. 4th which would get her here exactly 6 months after my arrival. quite exciting! i have to see if i can get that week off from work!

the other news is that i bought a little 50cc scooter. it's cute. of course not much power but it gets me around. well, it got me around. the other night it was dark and rainy night and i got all the way home no problem. then there is a steep driveway to my apt. and i kinda gunned it up the driveway and me and scooter kinda fell over :-P the scooter got the worst of it and is now in the shop being repaired. i banged up my knee a bit and tweaked my back somewhat.

i was stupid, it was really just a dumb thing to do. that's what i get for playing with new toys :-P

otherwise, still enjoying work. i've been going out to schools to tell students how to go about enrolling in university and things.

still nothing going on socially. i'm sure that will change once letlet is here.

oh, i have fallen in love with chocolate caramel slices here though. definitely my favourite sugar item right now.

also have plenty of family drama but i don't really feel like broadcasting all that.

cheers all,

jdr

Today marks 3 months in Wellington and one month on my new job. I feel it is all coming together quite nicely. I've received two paychecks now and feel almost like I'm in good financial shape again. Have been up to Palmerston a few times during the month. Have attended three different high school functions (career events) so far. Starting to have conversations with schools about my individual visits. I'm getting to the point now where I can actually answer some student questions. Still though, Massey has a lot of diverse offerings, it's difficult to get my head around all of the things I need to know. The comforting part is that many of the SLA's that have been at Massey for years still list "product knowledge" as their weakness, so I feel I'm doing okay only a month in.

We have our new administrative assistant in our office. She's a youngster, only 27. She has been involved in setting up a couple of offices before though, so I think she will be very good to have because we are essentially starting our office from scratch. All three of us are new and two of us are new to the country. Even my co-worker that is a Kiwi had spent the past six years away from NZ before coming back the end of last year and he's new to university admin. I think it's great. We all enjoy what we're doing and get along quite well.

After living in the apartment for a month I finally bought drying racks for laundry. Now I just have to catch up on my laundry that I had been avoiding washing for lack of a place to dry it. I did some today and will wash some more tomorrow. I must admit, I miss having a tumble dryer. Just had groceries delivered today so I am set for food for awhile. I think i'll make nachos for dinner tonight, i even bought ground beef. i don't have any beans, i've not been able to find black beans here yet, not that i've searched extensively though. the few places i've checked haven't had them.

Oh, I don't think I ever mentioned that I joined a by mail DVD rental service. It's about nz$10 more than it would be in the States, but it still seems reasonable. I'm trying to get through the Sopranos. So far i've completed season 2. Also watched what is one of the most popular NZ movies ever called "Goodbye Pork Pie," it is a funny road movie from 1981.

Today is an overcast, cool day here with a bit of wind. Supposed to rain tonight.

I've been having a lot of dreams lately about Gisela. I think I miss having a dog. I'm not going to rush to have another though, not until i'm really comfortable with my schedule and know that I will have enough time to take care of it. Would be nice to have a dog though...especially in these months of waiting for Celeste to get here.

Speaking of Celeste, she is in India right now for work. Why don't they send her down here :-P. Well, hopefully it won't be too long. The latest target is by the end of October. We can celebrate Halloween together ;-)

If you are working on coming to NZ, I wish you much luck! I have not yet had a moment when I did not want to be here. It is everything I hoped it would be. That's not to say that there aren't problems with this country, but I think overall it is just where I want to be. Hopefully at some point I can start working toward helping with some of the social ills that are hurting the young people here.

Take care all,

Jon

Work Work Work. That's about all i've been doing so far. Just been trying to learn as much as possible and become prepared to visit schools. Spent three days in Palmerston North for a seminar last week. Having meetings with different people across the university every day. Busy busy.

Other than that, not much new and exciting. I did join the university gym today.

Honestly, not much else to say at this point. I did get my first paycheck, that was a joy!

Massey University

Just about to complete my first week of work at Massey. Spent the first day in Palmerston North meeting people and exploring that campus. The past three days have been meeting people and exploring the Wellington campus. It has been hectic and exciting and overwhelming. My co-worker Guy and I were hired at the same time and will be the Student Liaison Advisers on Wellington campus and recruiting in the Wellington region.

We will have a lot of autonomy but also a lot of responsibility. I'm excited for both. Guy is a really nice...guy. We get along well and I think we'll be able to work well together. Tomorrow (Friday) will be our first day in the office just the two of us. I think we will try to do some organising of the tons of paper we have in our offices and also break down who will have which schools for recruitment.

Over the weekend I think I'll try to do a lot of reading regarding the different programs that Massey has to offer students. If you look hard enough on the website of Massey you can find me (including a picture!).

My love and wishes for a speedy recovery go out to my dear Letlet. She's come down with the flu and is not a happy camper. All the more so becuz she's not getting the attention she deserves from me. Poor girl.

saturday. i've been practically bed-ridden for two days now. all of a sudden my back decided to go into spasms yesterday and has been a disaster since. yuck.

my job doesn't begin until july 3rd, so i have another week to recover, hopefully that will not be a prob. wish i was starting sooner, i'm excited to get going. not to mention that i'm completely broke so it would be good to have income.

just went through a crazy week or so of trying to buy a cute car. i bought a blender off of www.trademe.co.nz (nz auction site). turns out the people selling the blender are selling everything they own and moving back to the US. they had a very cute Daihatsu Sirion car from 2003 with only 15.5k km on it. they were selling it for only nz$10k which is 2-3k less than i could find a comparable one for. but, as i mentioned in previous paragraph i'm broke. and i have no credit in nz. so, i applied for a loan and they were only willing to cover 80% of cost and i don't have the other 2k. so, someone came along who was willing to pay the full amount and i missed out on the cute car i wanted. probably better anyway. i'd rather be paying for things in cash as much as possible and not building up debt. just fell for the car in a big way :-P

otherwise i'm trying not to spend the money i don't have and figuring out how to pay rent until i get my first paycheck. it's interesting.

that's about it for now...

jon

AIM IM with saulxavier.
8:20 AM
J:hey! how's it going?
S:good how are you?
J:good!
J:so, you're gonna come visit in a year?
i have an apt. with a spare room and everything
S:we're staying in toronto for another year and going to save up to travel for up to a year
J:oh wow, plans have changed, sounds good though!
S:starting next may
J:sweetness
that's supercool
funny, there was just an article in the NYTimes about people doing just that!
well, not "just that"
but taking breaks between jobs for travel anyway
S:yeah we didnt get any interesting jobs, so rather than leaving, we're going to save for a year
J:shmart
S:so we might come to New Zealand!
J:that would be nifty
S:did you get a job?
J:i did indeed!
S:I read the blog
J:start the 26th
good
it's a brilliant blog, dontcha think?
you never leave comments you bastard
i beg and plead and only celeste ever does
S:no...it's too brilliant for me to leave comments
Jha!
just say "gee, you smell pretty"
that's as brilliant as my blog
S:are you liking it there?
J:yes
i enjoy sitting in my room on my computer 24/7 here, just as much as i did in nyc the air is better here and you hear more birds
and when i do venture out, people have cute accents
plus, the little money i've held in my hands is prettier than US money
and since i've been here there have been earthquakes, a tornado, a snowstorm that has trapped a gajillion people on the south island and a blackout in Auckland
S:everybody's money is prettier
the blackout in Auckland is the biggest deal though, cuz it will make other countries think we're third world but really, other countries don't notice us enough to care
i should really write this stuff in my blog, it's BRILLIANT
in fact, i might just cut and paste this chat into my blog
S:you should!
8:30 AM
J:OK
sweet, you will make a guest appearance in the brilliant ny2nz blog
S:People excellent!
I mean excellent
J:oh, if you wanna see my new apt. you will find it here http://web.mac.com/jonno/iWeb/JonLet/Welcome.html
how did excellent become "people excellent"???
S:and people are crazy for that World Cup here. Nobody cares about soccer in the US, everybody does in Toronto
J:so, yeah, i just need to get a paycheck before my meagre checking account dries up
S:I was starting to write about soccer
J:yes, world cup gets news here, but not as much as rugby and netball
S:people have flags from their home countries and drive around honking when their team wins
J:awesome
i'm sure that's happening a little in nyc too
people like their flags and horns in nyc
S:US and Italy are playing right now
J:well, lucky US gets past this round whether they win or lose i think
S:There are about 500k Italians in Toronto
J:becuz some team beat the czechs? something like that
S:Italy will probably beat the US
J:yes, they're euro
all euros should beat the US

8:35 AM
J:so, are you already planning your route around the world?
the Tui (a nz native bird) has the coolest bird call ever!
S:We haven't started yet. Learing about round the world tickets
J:yes
S:The apartment looks nice, The view is great!
J:not bad. unfortunately only get morning sun
would rather just get afternoon sun
S:Is Let there yet?
J:hell no, probably not until september
though sometimes she sounds like she'll just fly over tomorrow
S:are her papers all worked out?
J:everything is in now, she's just waiting to hear
S:I'll keep my fingers crossed for you
J:danke
they sound cooler in person but... http://www.kiwi-wildlife.co.nz/Sounds/tui.mp3

Here it is almost a week later. Much has transpired since last I wrote, for instance, I now use the word transpire. But I've not gotten any funnier, oh well.

I was offered the position at Massey. The same day I was offered the position I was called and offered an interview at Otago. Then today, I was offered an interview for a position at Auckland. I'm going to stick with Massey as it is here in Wellington, is a sure thing (though still not official) and I think it pays more than any of the others would. I had originally asked for NZ$50k and when I was offered the position was told I would receive NZ$55k. I don't mind that so much.

Before I was offered the job, but after interviewing and all, the people I'm renting room from told me that they were going to start renovating the house in early July and they would need me to move out by then. I felt a little bit unloved. Like they were shoving me out the door, especially since I didn't actually have a job yet.

When I'm being logical I just understand that they really will need the space and they were giving me more than a month of notice. Not bad. So, at that point I started looking seriously at the ads online (I've been looking at them obsessively for months but without much intent). One day I ran all over Thorndon and Kelburn to see a few places as well as looking at a place here in Karori.

The places in Thorndon were too small and dingy for my tastes. The place in Kelburn was cute, but still a bit small and expensive while being inconvenient for work. The place in Karori I only saw from the outside, but it looked nice, it was clean and looked like it had some nice furnishings, but didn't look lived in so I assumed the furnishings might come with.

I had walked a lot that day, so much so that I was sore the next day. Now, when I lived in NYC I walked quite a bit as well, the difference is, no hills in NYC. Here when you walk around you are doing a lot of up and down, it really can be tiring.

That running about was on Sunday, then on Monday I was unofficially offered the job and told about the salary, that improved motivation. Unfortunately a storm hit Sunday night through Monday. It was incredibly windy and rainy so I just stayed in and did more apt. research online, I also had an appointment to see the inside of the Karori place that morning. Then Tuesday I did another day of running around. I was in the central Wellington area for around five hours just walking and walking and walking (once again, remember the hills). Most of that time was spent visiting realtors to see what they had. I also had a couple of visits planned. I visited one place on Kent Tce and it was obvious that I wouldn't like it from the outside and it was too far from Massey so I didn't bother trying to see the inside. Then I saw a very funky cool cottage in Te Aro but it was also too far from Massey and a little small and maybe too funky for the $350/wk they were asking.

I then went and saw the outside of another place that was quite close to Massey but it just seemed a little small and also more money than I really wanted to pay, though not too bad. After that I wandered around a bit on Massey campus, trying to kill time until the next place I could see which was an hour and a half later. After walking for maybe 20 more minutes I decided I was not going to make it. I was tired and hungry and burnt out. It was time to go home.

I walked awhile more to catch the bus. At the bus stop I ran into Jun, a friend of C&D (who i am renting from) and we talked for the bus ride home. During that time on the bus I started to come to the conclusion that I wanted to take the place in Karori. As I mentioned before, it is furnished, has 2 bedrooms, a deck with bbq, a dishwasher and good-sized fridge. No dining room, but a decent living room. One of the bedrooms is relatively large with big closet and then a smaller room that would be good as guest room/study. I is nice. The two things that were making me hesitant were the distance from Massey and CBD plus I found out that Telstra, the best provider of Cable and Internet services in Wellington, doesn't provide service to the apt. Finally I decided that commuting isn't so bad for the price ($250/wk) and I can live without Telstra for now. When letlet gets here we can decide whether we want to stay or move somewhere new.

Now I have a job that begins on the 26th and an apt. I will move into this weekend. Tomorrow my phone and internet will get connected. My power will start on Saturday. I'm excited to have my new home and even more excited for when letlet arrives to make it our home!

Quite a week.

If you're managing to follow the plot of this blog, you'll recognise that this is the episode/installment where I have had the job interview. And yes indeed, it is true, I had my first actual New Zealand job interview. The job is in recruitment.

It was a little challenging. I received papers in the mail and they told me (well, I'd also been warned on the telephone) that I would need to prepare two things for the interview. One was a written paper about how I could get us into two schools that they'd been trying to get into but had been reticent to speak with us. The other was a five-minute oral presentation as though they were the professional development people at an employers and they wanted me to sell them on Massey professional development programs.

I actually found it all interesting. Also made me nervous as hell, but I actually enjoyed preparing for it. I've never had to do anything of the sort for an interview before. Celeste looked over them the day before my interview and seemed to think they were alright. I honestly couldn't tell what I thought. I assumed it was okay, but since I've not been trained really in recruitment formally, I just wasn't sure.

So, the interview was supposed to be at 11am on Wednesday. I, as usual, was quite early, walked in the office at about 10:40. They took me in immediately, I was a bit surprised by that! Kind of nice though, kept me from sitting around getting nervous (or ill). They were very nice, did some introductions and then had me do the oral presentation. They seemed to react pretty well, nodding appreciatively and taking notes (which I assumed was a good thing). I was so very conscious of trying to speak at a normal speaking rate. When doing that sort of thing, like many people, I have a tendency to speak at double speed. I really tried to keep it down and felt I did that pretty well. So, after that they went down a list of questions. I talked A LOT! Really, I started feeling self-conscious about it and actually made a comment like "I really do run on don't I?" but they were very nice and said it was interesting. We also talked a bit about my written presentation. The interview was supposed to last until about 12 and I don't believe I left before 12:15, so it went a long time.

Oh, one other thing they asked was why I had applied for fixed-term instead of permanent position (there were two identical positions advertised but one was listed as permanent the other as 13 month fixed-term to cover for maternity leave). I told them that it was for both of our sakes. That I assumed universities would be a little bit hesitant to hire an American with no NZ experience so applying for only the 13 month position gives them an out if it weren't to work well. I also said that the same held for me, since I don't have experience here I didn't know how I would feel about the position so it gave me an out as well. The part I didn't tell them was that I also kind of hoped that fewer people would be applying for fixed-term so that would help them consider an American a little more closely as well.

They said I would hear by the end of the day or sometime Thursday if I were invited to the next stage which would be psychometric testing at an agency in the CBD. I came home feeling pretty good about the whole thing.

Got online with letlet and told her about it all. Then just chilled out for the rest of the afternoon. Then just a little after five I received the phone call from Massey telling me that they were "very impressed" with my interview and could I go to Psychometric testing the following day (Thursday). I said yes, of course and thank you very much.

So, yesterday (Thursday) I went and did the tests, some logic stuff and personality stuff. It went pretty well I thought, nothing frightening or too difficult. The personality tests always seem silly to me, but apparently they work for something.

Now I am waiting to hear back about whether I am actually going to be offered the job or not. If it is offered, I think I'll accept. Should pay around NZ$50k, translated into US$ that's not so very much, around $32k I believe, but here it is pretty good. I think I could move to higher salary pretty quickly.

That's enough for now! Write me a comment wouldja?

jon

today was a good day.

after a couple weeks of increasingly bad insomnia, peaking with being awake from 1am to 6:30 the night before last, I slept pretty much the night through last night. That was with the help of leaving the heat on and taking my last sample dose of Lunesta. Lunesta leaves a very strange taste in your mouth...hard to explain but it isn't pleasant. When I asked my friend who tried it how it had worked for her, the first thing she said was, it gave me this horrible taste in my mouth :-P For me it's not such an issue, but definitely bothersome. So, I slept, happy me.

Then this morning I decided that I would do one (or more) of three things with my day. First choice was something I've been wanting to do since before I moved here which is to visit the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary. It is mostly just a bird sanctuary but they have removed all predators and are trying to reintroduce endangered species there. Second on the list was going to the Wellington Zoo, I like animals, what can I say? Third option was going for a little shopping and getting a fleece and maybe some warm socks or something.

Turns out I chose the first option. So, after doing a little straightening around here I drove down to the sanctuary. My third driving experience in NZ and my furthest drive. I wasn't expecting much excitement, really just getting myself out of the apt. and into nature was enough motivation. The entry fee is $8 and i also bought a little bird booklet for another dollar.

I spent a few hours wandering about looking up and down and all around to see the creatures. Saw quite a few birds, most of whom look like the birds I see outside of my apartment. They have a special little hangout they built for the Weta an insect that has apparently been around, pretty much unchanged, since dinosaurs were hanging out http://www.kcc.org.nz/animals/weta.asp

My biggest realistic hope was to see the Kaka (a New Zealand species of parrot). My unrealistic hopes were to see a Kiwi bird and the Weka another flightless bird in the sanctuary. They are both quite rare and quite skittish and the Kiwi pretty much only comes out at night, so, unlikely they were to be seen. The parrot seemed a little more likely though.

I reached the far end of my walk without a parrot being seen. I was a little disappointed and a little damp when I turned back. It didn't take too long though before I came back to a feeder I had seen on the way up and there was a big brown parrot getting himself something to munch on. It's a little embarrassing to admit just how happy this made me. Unfortunately this was a little in the day and the lighting was not good. Also, when I tried to get close enough to use flash, the parrots would head further away. That was a little frustrating. So, after probably ten or fifteen minutes of watching the parrot (and a friend of his that came along a bit later), I continued my walk back to the car happy that I had finally seen a parrot in the wild. I then heard quite a bit of noise off to my left and when I looked out there were four or five parrots sharing a feeder. Of course I had to stop and stare at them for another 10 minutes or so. Once again lighting and distance made pictures unlikely. I've not yet gone through the 103 pix I snapped, but my guess is no pictures of birds will be worth looking at. It was quite an enjoyable afternoon nonetheless.

I then drove back home. Right after coming in the door the house phone started ringing. I don't usually bother answering as not many people call me, especially on the house phone. This time I thought I would in case it was one of the roomies needing something. It wasn't one of the roomies. It was actually Massey University asking for me. I have a job interview on the 7th of June for the position of Student Liaison Adviser. Not necessarily my dream job, but a perfectly acceptable entry into the uni world in New Zealand. It would also be based here in Wellington which would make me most happy.

I'm very excited to have finally received an interview. Even if I do not get the job, this is another step and adds to my experience.

That is about all I have for now.

I am very much enjoying New Zealand still.

I've been a bad blogger. Really, I have no excuse. Actually, that is soooooo untrue, I have the perfect excuse! I'm LAZY.

This week I've received two rejection letters for jobs. My recruitment agency I am trying to get temp work through has yet to find me a job. This means I have a lot of free time. I've applied for two more jobs this week though. So, what have I been doing with all of my free time? Sleeping quite a bit, walking around Karori Rd. (the main drag in my neighbourhood). I go to the library semi-regularly as well as the post office. Been to downtown Wellington a few times. I like it down there, I don't go down there often cuz it makes me want to spend money and I can't really afford to do that until I have a job.

I've been mostly reading, watching movies and following the NBA playoffs. I also spend a significant amount of time chatting with letlet. I was downloading some shows online until I realised that I had very quickly used up the entire months allotment of broadband downloading so our internet speed has been reduced to dial-up speed for the remainder of the month. Oooops. I can't get used to this limited internet thang. Suffice it to say that downloading is a thing that will have to wait until I have my own internet though. Luckily both LOST and Grey's Anatomy had their season finales already.

I get along quite well with my roomies. They are rather Catholic, so that is a slightly uncomfortable situation sometimes, but mostly they are quite accepting of me and my non-religious ways. They feed me quite well, in fact maybe a little too well. I'm afraid that the weight I lost before is making its way back.

Oh, as I mentioned in my last entry, I went to see seals. That was fun. A really nice hike and it rained a little, but not so much to make it unpleasant.

Letlet had her interview. It sounds like it went quite well. She has a few more documents to turn in and then it's just waiting for the results. I feel good about it all.

Now I want to get a job, get an apt. and get a dog. Then the dog and I can wait patiently for the arrival of letlet.

Take care all.

Hi, here I am. New Zealand, Wellington, Karori, Monaghan Ave., in my room, on my computer tapping! Arrived safe and sound on Friday morning after many hours in airports and on airplanes. Picked up by Mon a friend of the couple I'm staying with who is also familiar with Let from an e-group for filipino/nz expats. He drove me to the house where Didith was on her way out but had left us breakfast waiting on the table.

We ate breakfast and Mon left to go about his day. I just sat around for awhile trying to get my bearings. After a bit I decided I should walk down to the main Karori street (Karori Road) and find my post office/bank. Went and did that, had to finish the opening of my account that I had begun back in NYC. Also went to a convenience store to buy myself a soda and a chocolate bar :-D, things haven't changed much.

That first night Didith and Clark planned on taking me to meet the filipino community but I was not feeling quite up for it and begged off. My stomach was protesting all of the adjustments and I decided it was best to just rest for the night.

So, yesterday afternoon a friend was having a house warming party and that was my coming out party for the filipino community here. The house is very cute, all the people I met very nice. Getting my ears more accustomed to hearing Tagalog (why else would I move to NZ than to learn Tagalog :-P)? It was a great night of beer, food, laughing, singing (even me!!!).

Then we came home and I was asleep by about 10 and didn't get up until after 10:30! A long long night of sleep.

This afternoon I am joining a trip to the coast to see a seal colony. That should be fun as well. Then tomorrow I must start working on the job search and getting to know Wellington a little better.

It feels a little bit unreal still. But I also feel very lucky to have landed with these very friendly, welcoming people who have been most helpful during my first few days. Next step is Let having her interview and getting her to join with all the other filipinos here in Wellington.

I miss all of my US friends already!

jon

Oh Shit! I'm leaving TOMORROW! The most amazing part is, I'm really ready to go. A couple of errands left for today, a couple loose ends that will need cleaning up, but really, I could walk out the door for the airport now and feel okay. WOOOHOOOO.

This has been an amazing year of making this happen. I have so many feelings inside. I have a niece that I'm having a very difficult time leaving behind. Family I've not been able to visit, friends that I don't know when I'll see again. There is some guilt and sadness mixed in with all of the excitement of this new adventure. Concerns for the future and how it will all turn out, not in a bad way, just wanting to be certain that I am doing everything in my power to make it a great experience.

The passport adventure ended smoothly and with me parting with about $300. Nice part is that I could be a NZ citizen before my passport expires again. I have five years to consider that possibility...

Oh, I know I should have so much to write, but the thoughts are whirring so quickly around my head that it is hard to catch them and put them on paper. Hopefully Friday I'll be able to catch a few more and share my first thoughts on being in Karori, Wellington, New Zealand.

Hey, if you read this, leave me a comment wouldja???

Regards,

Jon