well just had amy day off again yesterday.. no exciting catching of fish or sharks or anything I'm afraid! I had a pretty laid back day..
Set my alarm for 8:30am and called Louise, who is planning lots of exciting things such as moving to France and doing wwoofing (I gave her the helpx link), then going to the USA and then teaching in Japan.. good on her..! Needless to say I am saying "go for it!". Otherwise we have these dreams that are just dreams and lifes far more fun if you get to achieve them!
I am so excited about seeing the rest of the world! Next stop Australia.. and then who knows..!
Anyway, after I got off the phone from Lou I had breakfast and wandered into town to meet Vicky for lunch (my friend from yoga). Walking through town is nice now I've got to know people.. (I think I know someone who works in every cafe now).
It was Hislops organic Cafes last day of opening for the season so we decided to have lunch there which was very yummy! She is English and came over as a backpacker 6 years ago, but ended up marrying a kiwi and emmigrating.. but they've been living in Wellington for the past 6 years and shes been working in paliament there so I think Kaikoura is a bit of a shock! Shes finding it hard to get to know people and stuff. But shes lovely, really chatty and easy to talk to and we had a right laugh. went for pudding at the dolphin encounter cafe and then I went to see heres, shes just living in this cute chalet style house while their waiting for their place to be built but its really cute (and would be a great first house for me!). Then she was lovely and drove me to New World to get my weekly shop done and then back to mine.. and I had to meet Charley in the Sonic bar at 6pm were we had a drink and then went to the fish and chip shop, then to the strawberry tree for a drink. Town was quiet it being a Monday night but there were alot of parties as seasonal contracts ended alot of places today. Most places will be on skeleton winter staff numbers. so charlie and bree finished their jobs at dolphin encounter and seal swim yesterday so had parties. Charlie and I met up with them at the Sonic a bit later but they were very very drunk and since we were not it was a bit weird so we headed home. I was knackered for soem reason!
Have had a very easy day so far today. have been letting Ruth not do the cleaning tsince its been so quiet but this morning she got up and helped and we were done by 9:30am!!! We've got 3 people staying already that arrived yesterday and we have 1 persn due to check in today so I think its going to be a laid back day!! think i'll chill out with a book in a minute. Just finished Persuasion by Jane Austen yesterday so need to find something new to read! Ruths off out again to a party but think I'll stay in a watch crap on telly! (well since I have to work till 10pm anyway theres not much other option.. Tahu has been texting asking to come round but we'll see.. (I have been seeing a little bit of him since Kaikoura is a small town and I couldnt avoid him..I ignored him for a while but thats really mean and I felt bad when he asked if I'd been getting his texts... So after much deliberation I am going to perhaps give him a chance and meet up with him again.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Friday, April 27, 2007
Had a lovely day chillaxed day yesterday, I admit I did not wake up my best since I had been out the night before and got rather worse for wear (might be a little bit of an understatement - remind me never to drink again!) Luckily my lovely flatmate Ruth looked after me and unwrapped my from the toilet bowl and put me to bed with a glass of water.
The trouble with it being end of season and all the workers leaving is that alot of drinking is going on and leaving parties..
I might go out a bit this weekend but Thursday night taught me to take it easy on the alcohol! (yes I know I should have learnt that lesson by now and I've even said I've learnt it several times on this blog.. but it seems I havent.. till now of course!!) But I'll have a better night if I just have a glass or 2 of wine instead..
I realise I sound like a complete alci but I dont actaully go out that much, I dont get drunk very often (I dont even like alcohol that much and could easily go months without a drop of alcohol..)
Anyway, the day was chilled because its so quiet here. Charlie came over, Ruth had the day off work so we got out duvets out and had a video day and ate lots.. (I sent Charlie out to buy chai latte, pringles and chocolate and that was me sorted!) and we basically lay about all day, we had a total of 3 people in the backpackers.. (total of 2 today) so not much cleaning or work in general! I closed the spa at 9pm since all the people here had already been in it for the evening and had an early night and was in bed asleep by half 9.
Charlie and Ruth went out and got v drunk again.. poor Ruth was throwing up this morning and went to work looking very very pale.. I am feeling great though after a superlong sleep and not much cleaning or work to do.. of course I still have to be here so I dont have freedom but I have alot more energy.. and I feel I ought to go out a bit this week as Ruth and Charlie leave on the 7th May and then I wont have anyone to go out with!
The trouble with it being end of season and all the workers leaving is that alot of drinking is going on and leaving parties..
I might go out a bit this weekend but Thursday night taught me to take it easy on the alcohol! (yes I know I should have learnt that lesson by now and I've even said I've learnt it several times on this blog.. but it seems I havent.. till now of course!!) But I'll have a better night if I just have a glass or 2 of wine instead..
I realise I sound like a complete alci but I dont actaully go out that much, I dont get drunk very often (I dont even like alcohol that much and could easily go months without a drop of alcohol..)
Anyway, the day was chilled because its so quiet here. Charlie came over, Ruth had the day off work so we got out duvets out and had a video day and ate lots.. (I sent Charlie out to buy chai latte, pringles and chocolate and that was me sorted!) and we basically lay about all day, we had a total of 3 people in the backpackers.. (total of 2 today) so not much cleaning or work in general! I closed the spa at 9pm since all the people here had already been in it for the evening and had an early night and was in bed asleep by half 9.
Charlie and Ruth went out and got v drunk again.. poor Ruth was throwing up this morning and went to work looking very very pale.. I am feeling great though after a superlong sleep and not much cleaning or work to do.. of course I still have to be here so I dont have freedom but I have alot more energy.. and I feel I ought to go out a bit this week as Ruth and Charlie leave on the 7th May and then I wont have anyone to go out with!
Monday, April 23, 2007
I shouldnt be so excited that the backpackers is so quiet but its so lovely!!
5 people stayed in the backpackers last night and since 2 were staying I only had 3 beds to do!! yay!! how cool is that?!
since the night before we were fully booked its a sudden drop but unless we get lots of people suddenly turn up it should be the same tonight. Obviously if I was the owner I'd be upset but since none of the profits come to me I can be happy about it!!
All of town has suddenly gone dead, its weird.. but I guess thats what happens after Easter, suddenly there will be about 2 tousrists in the entire country until the ski season hits and then those areas will be busy while the rest of the country will be dead!
You cant tell from the photos but that shark is actually 200lbs and amount 6 foot long!
Dinner at Kevins was good, everybody likes my fish and kevin is a really good cook so that was good. Cant say either of the flatmates were my type but it was good to get out and go somewhere different.
We watched a couple of films.. anyone seen Hostel that film about backpackers getting killed and tortured..? (probably not the bext film for backpackers to watch ay?!) and made the boys watch "Men in Trees", Ruth and I's favourite TV show. Do you have it in the UK? if not you should its great!! Merin the main character writes books and in one article she wrote about the concept of real men which is pretty interesting.. apparently the men in Alaska are real men (you know rugged and manly and useful). I think they are few and far between in The UK (but thats maybe because I lived in a town) there seems to be alot more here. i think this is the backlash againt the new man concept (but its the best of both worlds cos its nice men that treat you right but arent all sappy.. and all manly going out and chopping trees down and fishing etc) So I'm not asking for much am I?!
5 people stayed in the backpackers last night and since 2 were staying I only had 3 beds to do!! yay!! how cool is that?!
since the night before we were fully booked its a sudden drop but unless we get lots of people suddenly turn up it should be the same tonight. Obviously if I was the owner I'd be upset but since none of the profits come to me I can be happy about it!!
All of town has suddenly gone dead, its weird.. but I guess thats what happens after Easter, suddenly there will be about 2 tousrists in the entire country until the ski season hits and then those areas will be busy while the rest of the country will be dead!
You cant tell from the photos but that shark is actually 200lbs and amount 6 foot long!
Dinner at Kevins was good, everybody likes my fish and kevin is a really good cook so that was good. Cant say either of the flatmates were my type but it was good to get out and go somewhere different.
We watched a couple of films.. anyone seen Hostel that film about backpackers getting killed and tortured..? (probably not the bext film for backpackers to watch ay?!) and made the boys watch "Men in Trees", Ruth and I's favourite TV show. Do you have it in the UK? if not you should its great!! Merin the main character writes books and in one article she wrote about the concept of real men which is pretty interesting.. apparently the men in Alaska are real men (you know rugged and manly and useful). I think they are few and far between in The UK (but thats maybe because I lived in a town) there seems to be alot more here. i think this is the backlash againt the new man concept (but its the best of both worlds cos its nice men that treat you right but arent all sappy.. and all manly going out and chopping trees down and fishing etc) So I'm not asking for much am I?!
Sunday, April 22, 2007
I hope you are looking closely guys!! this was my day off today..
phoned Jonny to see if he was goiong out fishing today, he wasnt taking a tour out but he and his mates wetre going out and I could come too 9eben better no tourists!!!)
and boy did I catch the fish of the day of what!!
After moaning because I was only ctaching perch and everyone else was catching blue cod I knew I had a big one.. I was quietly working away trying to bring it up when jonny noticed how big the thing I must have was.. I was nearly getting pulled overboard and I hate giving up but just wasnt strong enough so Jonny had to give me a hand.. I had to strap a guerney round him..and the fight was on...!!
When it came up it literally knashed the side of the boat and you hear this big crunch of the teeth against the metal... it was so cool!
Gerad really wanted to bring it into the boat but jonny wasnt up for that for several reasons firstly that it was knashing at us like it wanted to eat us secondly that some sharks are protected and he could lose his charter liscence and therefore his livelihood.. so we let it go..
anyway thats another fishing story for me.. jonnys putting my photos on his website
www.fishkaikoura.co.nz and I had another brilliant day, Jonny took me out for lunch and asked me out.. I'm going round Kevins place tonight though (ruths bloke), he wants to set me up with one of his housemates.. we'll see... at least I can bring lots of fish and crayfish (lobster) over that I caught mysslef anyway..!
Friday, April 20, 2007
I went to the cinema last night to see The Pursuit of Happyness, with Will Smith in it. Has anyone else seen it? Its such a good film and made me cry! Its based on a true story and true stories always make me cry.. but it was great in the end how he succeeded and got where he wanted to after all that pain and struggle. (I like films with a moral -- ie if you have a dream, go and get it however hard it may seem).
Anyway was good to go out to the cinema, I was going to go on my own but it turned out Bree was going on her own too so there was 2 of us! Kaikoura being cute small town NZ there was an interval etc in the middle, which is cool, always useful to have toilet break!
Back to usual though now, no more evenings off for me as Ruth is helping me out in the mornings again..
The bakings going well. Carrot cake sold out yesterday and today i've tried a new recipe of pumpkin and choc ship muffins and they taste great! I've never cooked cakes with pumpkin before, I eat alot of pumpkin roasted along with other roast veg but not in cakes.. maybe I should try those american recipes such as pumpkin pie that they have at thanksgivng etc?! as my pumpkins in the garden are just about ready!!
Just discovered roast dinners (I'm a bit slow I know) but I always thought roasting a joint was really hard.. but have discovered I can just pop a roast beef or lamb joint in and leave it.. and then the meat can last me days.. roast beef sandwiches.. etc etc! I only get a mini 5 dollar joint so its pretty bargainous really!
Have decided to leave here Saturday 26th May.. am looking forward to going to the merino sheep farm.. all the expensive icebreaker cothes here (NZ designer brand) are made from merino wool - which I dont seem to be allergic to like normal wool (not that I'm allergic to wool over here anyway - I think allergies are stress related?!)
I really want icebreaker stuff but cant afford it, it will proabbly get ruined as its hard to look after clothes when trvaelling and I'm scared I'll develop an allergy (I'm still desperate for some though!) ah well I'll just buy some cheaper thermals from farmers instead.. (its funny how thermals are seen as normal over here where as in the UK you seriously wouldnt be seen dead in them!) But its that time of year to be thinkign about things like that!!
Anyway was good to go out to the cinema, I was going to go on my own but it turned out Bree was going on her own too so there was 2 of us! Kaikoura being cute small town NZ there was an interval etc in the middle, which is cool, always useful to have toilet break!
Back to usual though now, no more evenings off for me as Ruth is helping me out in the mornings again..
The bakings going well. Carrot cake sold out yesterday and today i've tried a new recipe of pumpkin and choc ship muffins and they taste great! I've never cooked cakes with pumpkin before, I eat alot of pumpkin roasted along with other roast veg but not in cakes.. maybe I should try those american recipes such as pumpkin pie that they have at thanksgivng etc?! as my pumpkins in the garden are just about ready!!
Just discovered roast dinners (I'm a bit slow I know) but I always thought roasting a joint was really hard.. but have discovered I can just pop a roast beef or lamb joint in and leave it.. and then the meat can last me days.. roast beef sandwiches.. etc etc! I only get a mini 5 dollar joint so its pretty bargainous really!
Have decided to leave here Saturday 26th May.. am looking forward to going to the merino sheep farm.. all the expensive icebreaker cothes here (NZ designer brand) are made from merino wool - which I dont seem to be allergic to like normal wool (not that I'm allergic to wool over here anyway - I think allergies are stress related?!)
I really want icebreaker stuff but cant afford it, it will proabbly get ruined as its hard to look after clothes when trvaelling and I'm scared I'll develop an allergy (I'm still desperate for some though!) ah well I'll just buy some cheaper thermals from farmers instead.. (its funny how thermals are seen as normal over here where as in the UK you seriously wouldnt be seen dead in them!) But its that time of year to be thinkign about things like that!!
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Interesting night last night.. (and am tired today!)
It was Adams and Felicity's last night in town, hes flying back to Oz tomorrow so they came over for a BBQ, Bree, Charlie and Ruths new boyfriend Kevin came over too so there was a few of us, we cooked up a feast if prawn kebabs, various seafood and lots of food fresh from the garden.. I was not going to drink at all since I'd decided never again (at least in kaikoura) when I had alcohol about a fortnight ago but before I knew it my wine glass had been topped up a few times.. for a change I was feeling quite active in the evening, I think because Ruth was covering for me in the evening as she'd had the morning off when she usually heps me clean (ditto for tonight so I have the evening off!! yay)
anyway so we ended up going down the adelphi, playing a few games of pool and I met lots of local people for a change. I wanted to go hoem at ten to midnight so I could be safely tucked up in bed before midnight but I was persuaded to stay a few more minutes and then somehow I was among the last in the pub with a few locals who were going back for a party. well I'm always complaining about never meeting locals so it seemed a good idea at the time..
I wasnt really sure why I was unpopular at the party. I knew I was the only non-maori and wondered if I was encrouching apon their territory but it turns out that it was because I was stealing one of their guys (who had brought me there to meet his whanau). But anyway it was an entertaining (different night) and I've not stolen him anyway although he is scarily keen.
But it was nice to be among maori and most of them were talking maori. I watch a maori language programme in the afternoons so I know a few words but not enough to follow a conversation. I have always had a thing for maori men so its a pity he's not the one!
Anyway I didnt get home till 4am and then as I had had alcohol I couldnt sleep and woke up at 6am unable to get back to sleep again.. I have now ransacked the flat trying to find my credit card but to know avail so have had to cancel it.. will probably find it later but its better to be safe than sorry I suppose..
It was Adams and Felicity's last night in town, hes flying back to Oz tomorrow so they came over for a BBQ, Bree, Charlie and Ruths new boyfriend Kevin came over too so there was a few of us, we cooked up a feast if prawn kebabs, various seafood and lots of food fresh from the garden.. I was not going to drink at all since I'd decided never again (at least in kaikoura) when I had alcohol about a fortnight ago but before I knew it my wine glass had been topped up a few times.. for a change I was feeling quite active in the evening, I think because Ruth was covering for me in the evening as she'd had the morning off when she usually heps me clean (ditto for tonight so I have the evening off!! yay)
anyway so we ended up going down the adelphi, playing a few games of pool and I met lots of local people for a change. I wanted to go hoem at ten to midnight so I could be safely tucked up in bed before midnight but I was persuaded to stay a few more minutes and then somehow I was among the last in the pub with a few locals who were going back for a party. well I'm always complaining about never meeting locals so it seemed a good idea at the time..
I wasnt really sure why I was unpopular at the party. I knew I was the only non-maori and wondered if I was encrouching apon their territory but it turns out that it was because I was stealing one of their guys (who had brought me there to meet his whanau). But anyway it was an entertaining (different night) and I've not stolen him anyway although he is scarily keen.
But it was nice to be among maori and most of them were talking maori. I watch a maori language programme in the afternoons so I know a few words but not enough to follow a conversation. I have always had a thing for maori men so its a pity he's not the one!
Anyway I didnt get home till 4am and then as I had had alcohol I couldnt sleep and woke up at 6am unable to get back to sleep again.. I have now ransacked the flat trying to find my credit card but to know avail so have had to cancel it.. will probably find it later but its better to be safe than sorry I suppose..
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Got up early this mornign and phoned mum and dad which was nice, wven though we did get on the subject of how to manage my debt (which is never nice to think about) but it has to be dealt with I suppose!
They have had a great time in Naxos and I checked out their website as they have new photos, (blogs must be a family thing) Not sure if you want your website address published on here dad so if you want me to take it off just say.. otherwise it is..
http://www.tandj.netfirms.com/
My sister and family are going to stay next weekend with them so I will phone again and catch up with all at the same time! Both my little neices have had chicken pox in the last few weeks so I think they have had a rough month! (including Charlotte the one whose only just been born)
Anyway my wake up call this morning was interesting..
I woke up at 7am to find an old man standing at the end of my bed.. it was quite freaky and you should have heard me shreek telling him to get out my room.. all he said was "is this reception"?? you dont want to know my response to that!!
Still on the positive side it got me wide awake early to phone mum and dad before I opened reception at 8am!
I am gettting quite excited about leaving now and am making more and more plans.
I updated my profile on helpx and am getting lots of emails of places to go which is cool and since I want to do one last mini tour of the South island before i go and spend the winter in Nelson it sounds great!! I partiularly want to go to Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo so was pleased to see an email from a merino farmers wife asking me to coem and stay so i think thats going to be first stop.. (after a day or 2 in Christchurch - dont know if I've ever mentioned the websites www.couchsurfing.com and www.hospitalityclub.org but they are a great way to get free accomodation while travelling so am going to stay with some people in Christchirch on the way down.
if you've never been on these websites before they are great and worldwide.. you want to go and stay in Italy.. go and stay at someones house for free! Its not about freebies though, its about a community and bringing people together and having people to stay at your if you can or want to (you dont have to) I offer a mattress in my lounge currently..
Jen and Steve have also invited me back in Milton which I would like to take them up on..
I was looking internationally on help x webiste instead of just the NZ bit and got myself all in a tiz of excitement as I saw tonnes of jobs in nicagura and samoa and all sorts of lovely places I want to go to..!
So anyway hopefully I can save a bit on accomodation on my last little tour before I get back to Nelson.. and if i find a well paid job on the way then I guess i wont make it to Nelson!! (since the nursery can only offer me relief work - but i'm very hopeful I can end up with as much relief work as I dod last winter.)
its the end of the season here and things are slowing down. Most places are on their winter hours now and we are slightly quieter although still surprisingly busy but I guess Kaikoura is one of those laces busier all year round..
Even though it will be fairly chilly we are having a BBQ tonight (will still be nice under the stars.. who says you need sunshine to have a BBQ..as long as its not raining BBQ's are always good.. ! A few people are leaving as its the end of the season so we are having a goodbye party. Ruth was leaving next week but she is now staying an extra week so she leaves at the same time as Charlie which is great for me as I will miss her once shes gone (as a friend, flatmate and cleaner)
I think i will leave the backpackers on the 21st May. I was trying to decide whether to stay until the 27th to squeeze in one more weeks pay or not but I'm not sure.. maybe I'll squeeze in almost a weeks pay and leave Saturday 25th? yeah thats good then it will be a good time to see the hospitality club ppl in Christchurch.. right will email them and see...!
They have had a great time in Naxos and I checked out their website as they have new photos, (blogs must be a family thing) Not sure if you want your website address published on here dad so if you want me to take it off just say.. otherwise it is..
http://www.tandj.netfirms.com/
My sister and family are going to stay next weekend with them so I will phone again and catch up with all at the same time! Both my little neices have had chicken pox in the last few weeks so I think they have had a rough month! (including Charlotte the one whose only just been born)
Anyway my wake up call this morning was interesting..
I woke up at 7am to find an old man standing at the end of my bed.. it was quite freaky and you should have heard me shreek telling him to get out my room.. all he said was "is this reception"?? you dont want to know my response to that!!
Still on the positive side it got me wide awake early to phone mum and dad before I opened reception at 8am!
I am gettting quite excited about leaving now and am making more and more plans.
I updated my profile on helpx and am getting lots of emails of places to go which is cool and since I want to do one last mini tour of the South island before i go and spend the winter in Nelson it sounds great!! I partiularly want to go to Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo so was pleased to see an email from a merino farmers wife asking me to coem and stay so i think thats going to be first stop.. (after a day or 2 in Christchurch - dont know if I've ever mentioned the websites www.couchsurfing.com and www.hospitalityclub.org but they are a great way to get free accomodation while travelling so am going to stay with some people in Christchirch on the way down.
if you've never been on these websites before they are great and worldwide.. you want to go and stay in Italy.. go and stay at someones house for free! Its not about freebies though, its about a community and bringing people together and having people to stay at your if you can or want to (you dont have to) I offer a mattress in my lounge currently..
Jen and Steve have also invited me back in Milton which I would like to take them up on..
I was looking internationally on help x webiste instead of just the NZ bit and got myself all in a tiz of excitement as I saw tonnes of jobs in nicagura and samoa and all sorts of lovely places I want to go to..!
So anyway hopefully I can save a bit on accomodation on my last little tour before I get back to Nelson.. and if i find a well paid job on the way then I guess i wont make it to Nelson!! (since the nursery can only offer me relief work - but i'm very hopeful I can end up with as much relief work as I dod last winter.)
its the end of the season here and things are slowing down. Most places are on their winter hours now and we are slightly quieter although still surprisingly busy but I guess Kaikoura is one of those laces busier all year round..
Even though it will be fairly chilly we are having a BBQ tonight (will still be nice under the stars.. who says you need sunshine to have a BBQ..as long as its not raining BBQ's are always good.. ! A few people are leaving as its the end of the season so we are having a goodbye party. Ruth was leaving next week but she is now staying an extra week so she leaves at the same time as Charlie which is great for me as I will miss her once shes gone (as a friend, flatmate and cleaner)
I think i will leave the backpackers on the 21st May. I was trying to decide whether to stay until the 27th to squeeze in one more weeks pay or not but I'm not sure.. maybe I'll squeeze in almost a weeks pay and leave Saturday 25th? yeah thats good then it will be a good time to see the hospitality club ppl in Christchurch.. right will email them and see...!
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
What is stress?
I can give you the dictionary defintions of stress and depression..
Stress is a physical or mental pressure causing distress
Depression is an extreme dejection or a long slump
according to the Little English dictionary.
I've been wondering about depression and whether we create it ourselves and how we can stop it being part of our lives? (this could be the start of some kind of thesis or something?! since its something that interests me so much as has had imlications apon my life)
But the main thing I want to know is whether we bring it on ourselves and whether we can bannish it from our lives?
I came to NZ to escape stress and depression (no secrets about that!) and if a job or situation gets stressful or I dont like it anymore I leave it or end it.. but why do I find some things stressful, is just me or do other people too? (people have said before I bring it on myself.. do I?)
I dont think anyone can make any arguements about my choice of jobs back home beings stressful teaching in a private school where the head actually said "I wasnt a private school person" and working in a refuge where I saw children getting beaten first hand and got death threats from their mothers wasnt exactly stressfree. I have wondered whether I was just unlucky with my choice of school or refuge but I tried refuge over here and it wasnt much different (not exactly stressfree when I ended up in the street in the rain after complaining about working 24/7 for no money). As for teaching my gut instinct tells me not to give it another go (in schools anyway maybe nurseries) and i'm all for following gut instinct because our guts are usually telling us something!!
But over here? have ny jobs been stressful or have I made them that way? Theres only 2 jobs I didnt enjoy after a period of time - and I havent exactly felt stressed but I havent felt happy in them and I guess the word stress could be used to describe my feeling towards them..
Punga Grove - my bosses quite scary attitude, her daughter moving in with me, them leaving me in charge of the hotel and going on holiday when they arrange for builders ect to come in, working 8-8 without a break...
and my current job
Dolphin Lodge - working 84-98 hour weeks for very little money (around half the minimum wage), a passive agressive boss with OCD, and backpackers that drive me insane..
Would other people feel stress in thse jobs or is it just me? I chose these jobs... did I choose to be stressed? Once apon a time I do think I chose to be stressed because I dont think I'd have known what to do if I wasnt but I hope that now I dont choose to be and that its just an accident that I chose these jobs? (I will add that they are not all that bad.. not like the English ones and I'm not actually stressed at the moment in case anyone was worried.. I'm just wondering how to get the perfect job that I am happy in.. what I will be happy doing and how to avoid stress?
Ruth and i have been informed by locals that we chose the hardest employers to work for. But theres no way I could have known that before I applied for this job is there? Were never going to know what our boss is like before we start a job.. and even then it takes a few months to really see poeple as they are..or should we be nosying around and finding out everything about a job before we start it?
I'm beginning to think backpacker management may not be my thing (or is it just the hours and my boss that make me think that?)
Not long after I arrived in NZ I wrote a list of possible careers and i've been working my way though it trying to decide what it is I want to do.
So here is the list again and my comments:
Owner of backpackers or B&B - Hmnn if I lived in the premises it would constantly feel like these annoying toursists were in my house, both mean long hours and my pay would depend on my profits which with runnung costs and not amazingly high unless you have a luxury B&B - but then luxury guest require more attention - maybe this is not for me?
Mental health worker - I have a strong suspicion this could be like working in a refuge and the government system would get to me..
Psychotherapist - still an option but I seem to have less and less patience with peeople and it requires alot more training and therefore money to train and not work..
Chef - I'm not a good enough cook, I get stressed cooking for other people, and its unsocial hours, we can safely cross that one out!
Business owner of or manager of:
Bookshop (still viable option need to work in a bookshop to see whether I like it)
Cafe (ditto to the whole chef thing)
Childcare centre (ofsted too stressfull in UK?)
Alternative therpay shop (? maybe)
Travel Writer (yeah in my wildest dreams?! maybe I should give it a go though, as if you dont try you wont know..)
Pharmacy Worker - need to give it another go to see if any are as nice as the one in Akaroa was..to be qulaifies I would need a hell of alot of training..
Life Coach (would still like to look into more)!
reiki healer (need to get trained and probably no money in it? but could do it as well as somethign else?)
Play therapist (not sure i have enough patience nowadays and seeing abused kids everyday might not be too much fun.. similar to refuge?)
Art Therapist (ditto to above plus I'm really not that arty)
Worker in homeless shelter or young pregnant mums home (ditto to feelings about refuge)
International Aid Worker (? try it?)
Travel and Tourism Worker
So have I learn anything over the last few months? Yeah I think so.. I now appreciate how stressful it is running a backpackers..(and that I probably dont want to do it) thats saved me money of buying a business and getting fed up after a few months because I think even with myself as the owner I'd still die of exhaustion..and the backpackers would still be just as annoying?), I know I never want to step into another refuge again and teaching in schools is defiantely not for me..
so the hunt is still on to find the ideal job.. and whether it exists? and whether stressfree living exists!!?
My boss this morning asked if I wanted to leave at the same time my flatmate Ruth is leaving which is in 2 weeks. I said no thank you I was fine staying till the end of may (I told her I would be leaving then before I went to Hamner - I know I said June before then but I'd had enough before I went to Hanmer..). I wasnt sure if she was being nice or whether she was trying to get rid of me.. she made a few passive aggressive comments which made me think probably the latter but I'm not leaving then, it might not pay great, but it pays.. and I am not ready to leave yet. I'll stay another month, not go out at all and save up madly..
so anyway I'm not sure if any of that rant answered my original question..?
I can try as hard as I can to avoid stress but its pretty damn hard.. I think it helps when you have a job that doesnt take over your life (ie a 9-5 job rather than my current job for example)?
Any suggestions? (positve ones only please!)
Anyway it was great to get away to Hamner, unfortuntely its the school holidays so there were about 5 million children there but we cant have everything.. and it was away from this backpackers which is what I needed for a couple of days..
The first day I wa sso exhausted all i could do was sit in the pools and to be honest I barely had the energy for that, day 2 I went on several walks which was great!! so nice to get out and about walking again!!!
I was lucky with my hitchhiking, I just put a notice up in my backpackers asking for a ride there and a coupld staying happened to be going to stay at the same backpackers I was.. and vice versa the other way round.. door to door service both ways.. cant complain!!
I phoned laura and anna this week which was so nice!! it was so lovely to talk to them both and I feel such a bad friend to have not called them before now (I cant believe I've been away nearly a year and a half and nto called people). I will stick up for myself by saying I have emailed and written but smetimes its good to hear someones voice again.. so I'm going to be better at keeping in touch with people this week and am going to call my parents, my sister and my friend kate. Its good to get connected with peopel again, otherwise I get cut off from everybodies lives and dont know whats going on.. and I dont want to lose my friends and family just because I'm following my heart travelling.. so the phone is the answer!!
Stress is a physical or mental pressure causing distress
Depression is an extreme dejection or a long slump
according to the Little English dictionary.
I've been wondering about depression and whether we create it ourselves and how we can stop it being part of our lives? (this could be the start of some kind of thesis or something?! since its something that interests me so much as has had imlications apon my life)
But the main thing I want to know is whether we bring it on ourselves and whether we can bannish it from our lives?
I came to NZ to escape stress and depression (no secrets about that!) and if a job or situation gets stressful or I dont like it anymore I leave it or end it.. but why do I find some things stressful, is just me or do other people too? (people have said before I bring it on myself.. do I?)
I dont think anyone can make any arguements about my choice of jobs back home beings stressful teaching in a private school where the head actually said "I wasnt a private school person" and working in a refuge where I saw children getting beaten first hand and got death threats from their mothers wasnt exactly stressfree. I have wondered whether I was just unlucky with my choice of school or refuge but I tried refuge over here and it wasnt much different (not exactly stressfree when I ended up in the street in the rain after complaining about working 24/7 for no money). As for teaching my gut instinct tells me not to give it another go (in schools anyway maybe nurseries) and i'm all for following gut instinct because our guts are usually telling us something!!
But over here? have ny jobs been stressful or have I made them that way? Theres only 2 jobs I didnt enjoy after a period of time - and I havent exactly felt stressed but I havent felt happy in them and I guess the word stress could be used to describe my feeling towards them..
Punga Grove - my bosses quite scary attitude, her daughter moving in with me, them leaving me in charge of the hotel and going on holiday when they arrange for builders ect to come in, working 8-8 without a break...
and my current job
Dolphin Lodge - working 84-98 hour weeks for very little money (around half the minimum wage), a passive agressive boss with OCD, and backpackers that drive me insane..
Would other people feel stress in thse jobs or is it just me? I chose these jobs... did I choose to be stressed? Once apon a time I do think I chose to be stressed because I dont think I'd have known what to do if I wasnt but I hope that now I dont choose to be and that its just an accident that I chose these jobs? (I will add that they are not all that bad.. not like the English ones and I'm not actually stressed at the moment in case anyone was worried.. I'm just wondering how to get the perfect job that I am happy in.. what I will be happy doing and how to avoid stress?
Ruth and i have been informed by locals that we chose the hardest employers to work for. But theres no way I could have known that before I applied for this job is there? Were never going to know what our boss is like before we start a job.. and even then it takes a few months to really see poeple as they are..or should we be nosying around and finding out everything about a job before we start it?
I'm beginning to think backpacker management may not be my thing (or is it just the hours and my boss that make me think that?)
Not long after I arrived in NZ I wrote a list of possible careers and i've been working my way though it trying to decide what it is I want to do.
So here is the list again and my comments:
Owner of backpackers or B&B - Hmnn if I lived in the premises it would constantly feel like these annoying toursists were in my house, both mean long hours and my pay would depend on my profits which with runnung costs and not amazingly high unless you have a luxury B&B - but then luxury guest require more attention - maybe this is not for me?
Mental health worker - I have a strong suspicion this could be like working in a refuge and the government system would get to me..
Psychotherapist - still an option but I seem to have less and less patience with peeople and it requires alot more training and therefore money to train and not work..
Chef - I'm not a good enough cook, I get stressed cooking for other people, and its unsocial hours, we can safely cross that one out!
Business owner of or manager of:
Bookshop (still viable option need to work in a bookshop to see whether I like it)
Cafe (ditto to the whole chef thing)
Childcare centre (ofsted too stressfull in UK?)
Alternative therpay shop (? maybe)
Travel Writer (yeah in my wildest dreams?! maybe I should give it a go though, as if you dont try you wont know..)
Pharmacy Worker - need to give it another go to see if any are as nice as the one in Akaroa was..to be qulaifies I would need a hell of alot of training..
Life Coach (would still like to look into more)!
reiki healer (need to get trained and probably no money in it? but could do it as well as somethign else?)
Play therapist (not sure i have enough patience nowadays and seeing abused kids everyday might not be too much fun.. similar to refuge?)
Art Therapist (ditto to above plus I'm really not that arty)
Worker in homeless shelter or young pregnant mums home (ditto to feelings about refuge)
International Aid Worker (? try it?)
Travel and Tourism Worker
So have I learn anything over the last few months? Yeah I think so.. I now appreciate how stressful it is running a backpackers..(and that I probably dont want to do it) thats saved me money of buying a business and getting fed up after a few months because I think even with myself as the owner I'd still die of exhaustion..and the backpackers would still be just as annoying?), I know I never want to step into another refuge again and teaching in schools is defiantely not for me..
so the hunt is still on to find the ideal job.. and whether it exists? and whether stressfree living exists!!?
My boss this morning asked if I wanted to leave at the same time my flatmate Ruth is leaving which is in 2 weeks. I said no thank you I was fine staying till the end of may (I told her I would be leaving then before I went to Hamner - I know I said June before then but I'd had enough before I went to Hanmer..). I wasnt sure if she was being nice or whether she was trying to get rid of me.. she made a few passive aggressive comments which made me think probably the latter but I'm not leaving then, it might not pay great, but it pays.. and I am not ready to leave yet. I'll stay another month, not go out at all and save up madly..
so anyway I'm not sure if any of that rant answered my original question..?
I can try as hard as I can to avoid stress but its pretty damn hard.. I think it helps when you have a job that doesnt take over your life (ie a 9-5 job rather than my current job for example)?
Any suggestions? (positve ones only please!)
Anyway it was great to get away to Hamner, unfortuntely its the school holidays so there were about 5 million children there but we cant have everything.. and it was away from this backpackers which is what I needed for a couple of days..
The first day I wa sso exhausted all i could do was sit in the pools and to be honest I barely had the energy for that, day 2 I went on several walks which was great!! so nice to get out and about walking again!!!
I was lucky with my hitchhiking, I just put a notice up in my backpackers asking for a ride there and a coupld staying happened to be going to stay at the same backpackers I was.. and vice versa the other way round.. door to door service both ways.. cant complain!!
I phoned laura and anna this week which was so nice!! it was so lovely to talk to them both and I feel such a bad friend to have not called them before now (I cant believe I've been away nearly a year and a half and nto called people). I will stick up for myself by saying I have emailed and written but smetimes its good to hear someones voice again.. so I'm going to be better at keeping in touch with people this week and am going to call my parents, my sister and my friend kate. Its good to get connected with peopel again, otherwise I get cut off from everybodies lives and dont know whats going on.. and I dont want to lose my friends and family just because I'm following my heart travelling.. so the phone is the answer!!
Monday, April 16, 2007
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Me in the Maori Leap Caves (which was unfortuntely nothing maori). He had a sea urchin rock which he asked us if we knew what it was which I called kina and he had no idea what I was on about but thats what the maoris call sea urchin..
I've started watching a kids TV programme in the afternoons to learn a bit of maori which is quite cool (when i say started watchign i mean I had time one afternoon once.. I have tried since but the bell always rings just as it starts!)
Friday, April 13, 2007
Friday 13th
Its friday 13th even though the date in this blog will disagree with me!
So far my day hasnt been fab. a huge storm hit overnight so I didnt sleep a wink because doros were banging and it sounded like the backpackers was going to fall down (of course in the morning people complained and this was my fault!)
Once I woke up and walked round the backpackers to see what the noise was about I started worrying about things I hadnt done so by the time the alarm went off I wa sknackered, and starting off the day knackered is never good, then Ruth slept in till half 9 so I was cleaning on my own for 1.5 hours.. (she usually starts at 9)
the place was a mess and people didnt want to check out because the hadnt slept and people wanted their rooms to be ready to check in at 8:30am.. so it was a matter of going round and waking poeple up at 10:15am and telling them poeple were waiting to check in their rooms! they said thing like oh were going to stay another night (and its like.. um no your not.. were fully booked..)
Then of course its raining which meant a tumble drying day (which takes forever with the laundry) and all the whalewatching and dolphin swimming was cancelled so people were hanging round bored and under my feet all day..
I have also been having a clumsy day.. I ran out to buy a razor since I lost mine 2 weeks ago and was about to turn into a gorilla and nearly got hit by a car (theres not exactly many cars in kaikoura so gos knows how I managed that!), then when I shaved my legs (while listending for the bell and answering the phine I slipped and got bruises all down my back and bum (luckily didnt get cut by the razor.. there was some luck!)
Then later while putting bedding away tooth butted the shelf and thought I was going to have knocked my front tooth out.. it still hurts but dpesnt seem wobbly, still later I came flying down the stairs when the bell rang.. I want running promise.. but came thudding down scraping, back, bum and elsbow and getting serous bruises..
Luckily Ruth covered for me for an hours and a half and I had a nap and i feel so much better.
I am however going to go out so will feel even tireder tomorrow but its wonderful to go out, everythime I get to the end of the driveway I feel like wooping with delight I'm so happy to get out of here.. and it doesnt happen very often so am looking forward to it. if i can stay awake that long.. hence me typing in the evening which i never usually do..
But its ten to 9 and I can close reception in ten minutes, cash up and then lock the spa at 10pm and go out.. yay!
Charlie is going to coem and pick me up as there is a surf party out of town. I'll probably manage about an hour but it will be nice to be out and to see people who arent tourists!! I also wont be the life and the soul of the party by far.. to tired for that!!
Have decided to tell Moira I'll be leaving late May as I can feel I will get ill if I carry on working like this and i'm not saving enough as its shit money.. the childcare centre in nelosn have been emailing me about working so I might well head there! I can earn alot more there for alot less hours..
On the bright side there are things i love here:
I will miss the sound of the sea.. I love laying in bed at night with the window open hearing the waves crash...
I will miss the snowy mountains.. its been bloody cold this week and has snowed loads on the mountains.. its just stunning..
I will miss the dolphins jumping around..
I will miss having my own bedroom and double bed and only sharing my lounge and kitchen wiht one other person..
I will miss my rooftop balcony and spa..
so however much I moan its not all bad!! there areb great things here!!
So far my day hasnt been fab. a huge storm hit overnight so I didnt sleep a wink because doros were banging and it sounded like the backpackers was going to fall down (of course in the morning people complained and this was my fault!)
Once I woke up and walked round the backpackers to see what the noise was about I started worrying about things I hadnt done so by the time the alarm went off I wa sknackered, and starting off the day knackered is never good, then Ruth slept in till half 9 so I was cleaning on my own for 1.5 hours.. (she usually starts at 9)
the place was a mess and people didnt want to check out because the hadnt slept and people wanted their rooms to be ready to check in at 8:30am.. so it was a matter of going round and waking poeple up at 10:15am and telling them poeple were waiting to check in their rooms! they said thing like oh were going to stay another night (and its like.. um no your not.. were fully booked..)
Then of course its raining which meant a tumble drying day (which takes forever with the laundry) and all the whalewatching and dolphin swimming was cancelled so people were hanging round bored and under my feet all day..
I have also been having a clumsy day.. I ran out to buy a razor since I lost mine 2 weeks ago and was about to turn into a gorilla and nearly got hit by a car (theres not exactly many cars in kaikoura so gos knows how I managed that!), then when I shaved my legs (while listending for the bell and answering the phine I slipped and got bruises all down my back and bum (luckily didnt get cut by the razor.. there was some luck!)
Then later while putting bedding away tooth butted the shelf and thought I was going to have knocked my front tooth out.. it still hurts but dpesnt seem wobbly, still later I came flying down the stairs when the bell rang.. I want running promise.. but came thudding down scraping, back, bum and elsbow and getting serous bruises..
Luckily Ruth covered for me for an hours and a half and I had a nap and i feel so much better.
I am however going to go out so will feel even tireder tomorrow but its wonderful to go out, everythime I get to the end of the driveway I feel like wooping with delight I'm so happy to get out of here.. and it doesnt happen very often so am looking forward to it. if i can stay awake that long.. hence me typing in the evening which i never usually do..
But its ten to 9 and I can close reception in ten minutes, cash up and then lock the spa at 10pm and go out.. yay!
Charlie is going to coem and pick me up as there is a surf party out of town. I'll probably manage about an hour but it will be nice to be out and to see people who arent tourists!! I also wont be the life and the soul of the party by far.. to tired for that!!
Have decided to tell Moira I'll be leaving late May as I can feel I will get ill if I carry on working like this and i'm not saving enough as its shit money.. the childcare centre in nelosn have been emailing me about working so I might well head there! I can earn alot more there for alot less hours..
On the bright side there are things i love here:
I will miss the sound of the sea.. I love laying in bed at night with the window open hearing the waves crash...
I will miss the snowy mountains.. its been bloody cold this week and has snowed loads on the mountains.. its just stunning..
I will miss the dolphins jumping around..
I will miss having my own bedroom and double bed and only sharing my lounge and kitchen wiht one other person..
I will miss my rooftop balcony and spa..
so however much I moan its not all bad!! there areb great things here!!
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Its a good job I dont have a violent streak (or a gun) because I am getting grumpier and grumpier! Its a combination of tiredness, exhaustion and nooying backpackers..
Yesterday we had a booking for 7 people who were picking up their hirecar at 10am in Christchurch and would be here by 3pm at the lastest.
By 9pm when reception shuts there was no word.. and I was due to go out for once in my life and have a social life so I left a note to say they could call me on my cellphone or I would be back at 10pm (I'd done the cashing up early but had to come back to lock the spa and do other stuff). they were all waiting in reception when i got back (having arrived 5 minutes before) but they were quite put out that no-one was on reception for them..
I could of course have left a note telling them where to go.. which is easy with double rooms but a bit dodgy leaving dorm keys on reception (since your leaving a key to where other people have all their possessions) so I'd been kind. Beisdes I had a feeling they'd need duvets, i knew they wouldnt be the sort to have sleeping bags.. so once I'd booked them in, shown them round and given them all duvets and blankets. they complained they couldnt use the spa (it gets locked at 10pm. Then I proceeded to go back to the pub as there was a live band on.. they then got really angry sayign wasnt there anyone on reception in the night to help them..? My god.. people who have only stayed in huge base backpackers or whatever shouldnt be allowed out on their own.. I politely explained that no I worked 98 hours a week already..
This mornign when clearing up after them, they had trashed the place.. mess everywhere, they couldnt get up in time for check out.. sometimes I'm nice but since they made me work late I wasnt going to let them ruin my day by making me be doing washing and changing beds in the afternoon so Ruth and I went in and opened the curtains etc! (the other poeple in the dorms had already checked out!). they then proceeded to make mess all around the hostel. I told them to wash up and dry up but they huffed and puffed and wouldnt.. bloody poms! (blond English girls with short skirts..)
Yesterday we had a booking for 7 people who were picking up their hirecar at 10am in Christchurch and would be here by 3pm at the lastest.
By 9pm when reception shuts there was no word.. and I was due to go out for once in my life and have a social life so I left a note to say they could call me on my cellphone or I would be back at 10pm (I'd done the cashing up early but had to come back to lock the spa and do other stuff). they were all waiting in reception when i got back (having arrived 5 minutes before) but they were quite put out that no-one was on reception for them..
I could of course have left a note telling them where to go.. which is easy with double rooms but a bit dodgy leaving dorm keys on reception (since your leaving a key to where other people have all their possessions) so I'd been kind. Beisdes I had a feeling they'd need duvets, i knew they wouldnt be the sort to have sleeping bags.. so once I'd booked them in, shown them round and given them all duvets and blankets. they complained they couldnt use the spa (it gets locked at 10pm. Then I proceeded to go back to the pub as there was a live band on.. they then got really angry sayign wasnt there anyone on reception in the night to help them..? My god.. people who have only stayed in huge base backpackers or whatever shouldnt be allowed out on their own.. I politely explained that no I worked 98 hours a week already..
This mornign when clearing up after them, they had trashed the place.. mess everywhere, they couldnt get up in time for check out.. sometimes I'm nice but since they made me work late I wasnt going to let them ruin my day by making me be doing washing and changing beds in the afternoon so Ruth and I went in and opened the curtains etc! (the other poeple in the dorms had already checked out!). they then proceeded to make mess all around the hostel. I told them to wash up and dry up but they huffed and puffed and wouldnt.. bloody poms! (blond English girls with short skirts..)
Sunday, April 08, 2007
My naughty streak!
I've been feeling like I have cabin fever lately.. its been so bust over easter I never have a minute to myself and theres been this guy called James staying who was driving me mad, he was here for 5 days and never went out, instead he chose to ring the bell and annoy me every two minutes.. I was change, can you turn my change into a note, light the fire, my bedroom door squeeks, I want an extra blanket, I cant get the TV, microwave, washing machine, tumble dryer to work, I want washing powder.. you get the picture, generally always moaning about something anyway.. it was the change that used to drive me mad.. at least 10 times a day he needed 2 dollar coins..
He also got phonecalls all the time on the personal phone but wouldnt anser it so i had to find him.. never a please or thank you... so last night when it was 10pm and time for me to lock the spa. I apologised to the boys in there and told them I had to lock it.. he then complained and said I had been hogging it all evening so he hadnt been able to get in.. (I popped in a 9pm till 9:20pm).. well that just tipped me over the edge.. (people get in and out the spa all evening and and up to 11 people at a time.. he never goes out so he can use it at any time..).. anyway I saw red and before I knew it I swung the spa lid round (I always have to swing it round to move it over and on it..) but swung it too far so it whacked him on his back and sent him flying.. then had to keep a straight face and apologise..! (I couldnt help myself. dont know what came over me?!! I will stand up for myself and say it wouldnt have actually hurt him (much). Its not hard or sharp or anything. (I'm not that viscious)
Anyway.. he's checked out now thank god! I hid the guest comment book this morning do he couldnt write anything bad about me in it.. guess I wont be winning any hospitality awards of the year or anything...
He also got phonecalls all the time on the personal phone but wouldnt anser it so i had to find him.. never a please or thank you... so last night when it was 10pm and time for me to lock the spa. I apologised to the boys in there and told them I had to lock it.. he then complained and said I had been hogging it all evening so he hadnt been able to get in.. (I popped in a 9pm till 9:20pm).. well that just tipped me over the edge.. (people get in and out the spa all evening and and up to 11 people at a time.. he never goes out so he can use it at any time..).. anyway I saw red and before I knew it I swung the spa lid round (I always have to swing it round to move it over and on it..) but swung it too far so it whacked him on his back and sent him flying.. then had to keep a straight face and apologise..! (I couldnt help myself. dont know what came over me?!! I will stand up for myself and say it wouldnt have actually hurt him (much). Its not hard or sharp or anything. (I'm not that viscious)
Anyway.. he's checked out now thank god! I hid the guest comment book this morning do he couldnt write anything bad about me in it.. guess I wont be winning any hospitality awards of the year or anything...
Friday, April 06, 2007
I got my visa!!
well that was quick!! I have got my visa for Australia! Now all I need is $5000 and plane ticket. I wont get in the country without an ongoing ticket so I'll probably buy a return ticket to NZ, that will be cheapest.. So I guess I'll look out for cheap flights online. Its a while ahead yet though.. dont need to think about it until December.. but I do need to get my arse into gear and earn lots of cash!! (and not spend it!). I've made some fudge this afternoon so hopefully that will sell well!
Its still manic hear, not as many phonecalls as yesterday but still fully booked.. (I turned about 200 hundred people away yesterday!!) what is it with Easter weekend?! where so all these people come from?! I do feel sorry for these girls turning up and having to tell them were full and so will everywhere else be..
I might go out tonight as I havent been out in ages and Ruth will be going out with Charlie and Bree. I wont have a late one like them but it will be nice to go out. Shes always coming back having these brilliant nights so I feel i'm missing out a bit.. but it probably wont be the same for me as I wont be as drunk (I'll have a couple but theres no way i can handle getting drunk and having a hangover when i have such a week ahead of me!
As I am working this week straight without a day off I have a 98 hour working week so I dont think a too late a night would do me much good!! I'd be an emotional wreck!!
My novel is coming along well though, in between cutomers and the bell ringing I am madly writing! who knows if anyone will ever read it but I am enjoying writing it! I wish I had a laptop though.. as its handwritten at the moment its going to take a while to type up and I'm using alot of paper notebooks!!
Its cool as while I'm sleeping I think up more storylines for it.. so it keeps me occupied all the time!!
Its still manic hear, not as many phonecalls as yesterday but still fully booked.. (I turned about 200 hundred people away yesterday!!) what is it with Easter weekend?! where so all these people come from?! I do feel sorry for these girls turning up and having to tell them were full and so will everywhere else be..
I might go out tonight as I havent been out in ages and Ruth will be going out with Charlie and Bree. I wont have a late one like them but it will be nice to go out. Shes always coming back having these brilliant nights so I feel i'm missing out a bit.. but it probably wont be the same for me as I wont be as drunk (I'll have a couple but theres no way i can handle getting drunk and having a hangover when i have such a week ahead of me!
As I am working this week straight without a day off I have a 98 hour working week so I dont think a too late a night would do me much good!! I'd be an emotional wreck!!
My novel is coming along well though, in between cutomers and the bell ringing I am madly writing! who knows if anyone will ever read it but I am enjoying writing it! I wish I had a laptop though.. as its handwritten at the moment its going to take a while to type up and I'm using alot of paper notebooks!!
Its cool as while I'm sleeping I think up more storylines for it.. so it keeps me occupied all the time!!
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Australian Visa
Today I applied for my Australian visa. This is a big thing! It means I commit myself to another year travelling, to leaving NZ (that makes me upset) and to not going back to the UK for another year at least (technically 18 months since I have another 6 months here). Of course its not really committment as such if I dont like it I can leave!!
I feel really weird having applied for it, my stomach has butterflies in it like when I applied for my NZ visa. It could be accepted in as little time as 48 hours! Lets hope I get accepted or I'll cry! I cant think of any reason I wouldnt but you never know..
I got an Easter egg today which was really nice. Moira brought me and Ruth an egg round, she is going away for a week so I am not getting my usual day off on Monday, I dont have a day off until next saturday so I am going to be pretty tired by then!
The backpackers is manic again, it quietened down over the last few weeks but then over Easter weekend it is VERY busy!! This is the first time I have sat down all day!!
Mind you its been a little cooler today which was nice as it gave me a chance to do jobs its been too hot to do like dig up potatoes etc so I've probably created work for myself.
Picked the last of the peaches today as well which must mean summer is over or something which is a bit sad.. also lit the fire for the first time last night (I'm hoping its just a cold snap) its still warm in the sun though..
We've had lovely people in lately, so I've had nice people to chat to and stuff, I also met some nice people at yoga last night.
It was really exciting to go out last night (can you imagine what ts like living and working somewhere 24/7 as once I've worked my 14 hours per day I just want to fall into bed so I never leave the place apart from my day off.. so to go out to yoga was great!! (and good exercise wise).
I've been looking at my life goals list and seeing what I can achieve at the moment.
Can tick off number 28 -seeing a whale in the wild this week, and am currently working on number 58 - write a novel, also got a Jane Austen novel out the library so have started on number 45 - read the entire works of jane Austen, have applied for my aussie visa so am on my way to achieving number 1 which is to live, travel and work in australia. I wrote this list in 2001..
Before I leave NZ I might try and achieve number 47 - live temporarily on a commune
and number 59 Hand glide... I wonder what I'll do when I've done everything on the list.. write another list maybe? mind you its going to take me a while - the list is pretty long!! (101 things!)
I feel really weird having applied for it, my stomach has butterflies in it like when I applied for my NZ visa. It could be accepted in as little time as 48 hours! Lets hope I get accepted or I'll cry! I cant think of any reason I wouldnt but you never know..
I got an Easter egg today which was really nice. Moira brought me and Ruth an egg round, she is going away for a week so I am not getting my usual day off on Monday, I dont have a day off until next saturday so I am going to be pretty tired by then!
The backpackers is manic again, it quietened down over the last few weeks but then over Easter weekend it is VERY busy!! This is the first time I have sat down all day!!
Mind you its been a little cooler today which was nice as it gave me a chance to do jobs its been too hot to do like dig up potatoes etc so I've probably created work for myself.
Picked the last of the peaches today as well which must mean summer is over or something which is a bit sad.. also lit the fire for the first time last night (I'm hoping its just a cold snap) its still warm in the sun though..
We've had lovely people in lately, so I've had nice people to chat to and stuff, I also met some nice people at yoga last night.
It was really exciting to go out last night (can you imagine what ts like living and working somewhere 24/7 as once I've worked my 14 hours per day I just want to fall into bed so I never leave the place apart from my day off.. so to go out to yoga was great!! (and good exercise wise).
I've been looking at my life goals list and seeing what I can achieve at the moment.
Can tick off number 28 -seeing a whale in the wild this week, and am currently working on number 58 - write a novel, also got a Jane Austen novel out the library so have started on number 45 - read the entire works of jane Austen, have applied for my aussie visa so am on my way to achieving number 1 which is to live, travel and work in australia. I wrote this list in 2001..
Before I leave NZ I might try and achieve number 47 - live temporarily on a commune
and number 59 Hand glide... I wonder what I'll do when I've done everything on the list.. write another list maybe? mind you its going to take me a while - the list is pretty long!! (101 things!)
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
so I had a another great day off!
Hank (my skipper from the dolphin watching trip on my previous day off) had texted me to say he'd sorted a whalewatch trip for me which was great (saved me 130 dollars!)
I got up early (5:30am) and watched the sunrise which was beautiful as usual and then trekked off to where to whalewatch boats go from (usually people who are going on the whalewatch walk to the office and get bussed up there but since I had a freebie and had to go find some bloke called Chevy I had to walk to the docks). It was a nice walk though, it took about an hour through the race course and along the beach. It was sooo worth it though!
I was beyond excitement when the big sperm whale suddenyl popped up less than 5 metres from the boat!!
They dont use sonar as they say the whales dont like it so they put a kind of mirophone in the water to hear the, so they can tell when their in a two km radius of the boat.. you can also see then blow from up to 2kms away too..
We only saw 1 sperm whale (often they see more) but it was amazing as he hung around for ages and did really rare stuff like surface feed and jaw snap (he turned upside down and snapped his jaws so we could see his teeth!!) when they go under its usually for 40-60 mins (the ones in kaikoura ayway, other ones elsewhere stay under longer)so you usally only get one chance to get that tail shot.. but we were lucky as he was messing aorund and came up again, and again for a total of 5 times... probably as he was surface hunting a shark!! Anyway, I could so go on this trip again and again!! It was great, we didnt seen any dolphins close up but 3 different species of albatross were flying around close by including the largest which is the royal albatross.
Then I came back, trudged to New World to do my weekly shop, had lunch down the fish and chip shop and went out to "The maori leap caves". they were very cute, not very big and not that spectacular but the little old man showing us around had lots of imaginative interpretations of every single stalagtite etc.. if you look closely this ones the virgin mary and this ones a sheep.. etc, but I wa sglad I went, it was a good way to spend a couple of hours and I like to feel that I've seen everything is the area.
Then I went and got a roasted duck and truffle pizza from the black rabbit and before I knew it, it was time to go on the star gazing trip.. which was great! I might just take up astronomy when I grow up! I will defiantely go again in a couple of weeks. He wanred me that as it was the full moon the sky would be so bright that we wouldnt be able to see as many stars but it was still fab!
You just have to see my pictures of the moon! You can put your camera up against the lens of the telecope and get a photo of it! It wa sso close up it was great!! AND I have a photo of saturn and jupiter, jupiter admittedly just looks like another moon in the photos, but you can blurrily see the rings around saturn.. throught he telescope it was amazing.. it literally looked like he had put a sticker on the elns it looks so perfect it looked like a toy!! It was sooo cool!!
I learnt all about the southern cross and how to find south and the millions of starsin the milky way (we have a better view in the southern hemisphere.. and we can also see orions belt and stuff as well).
Now I'm going to really show my "blondeness" now.. I've always been into star signs and stuff but never really thought about where they come from and stuff.. this was an amazing way to see how its done.. you could really see the moon in virgo and that saturn was in cancer.. how cool is that!!?
Needless to say by the time I got back at 10:30pm after having been awake since 5:30am I was shattered! So it was straight to bed for me! I was still recovering yesterday.. it was a busy day yesterday as Moira had let 4 kiwi experience people stay.. which meant they had left the place a complete state (and they wonder why they have a reputation?)
I was quite gutted actually as a kiwi experience guy had left him digital camera/ video camera behind 2 weeks and not phoned.. I was beginning to think I was going to have a nice new one for myself.. but he sent his friend by to collect it yesterday.. shame. Strange what people leave behind and never bother to phone up for..!
Tonight I have the evening off which is really exciting off. Ruth has had a lot of time off over the last few months so she is going to pay back some of her time by giving me a couple of evenings off, starting with tonight. I am going to go to a yoga class, and if I like it she might work Wedesday nights for me from now on!) which will be great!! as its really hard to get exercise when your working all day. I have been doing a pilates video I got out the library quite alot but its good to have variation! (and I hopefully might get to meet some other locals).
Hank (my skipper from the dolphin watching trip on my previous day off) had texted me to say he'd sorted a whalewatch trip for me which was great (saved me 130 dollars!)
I got up early (5:30am) and watched the sunrise which was beautiful as usual and then trekked off to where to whalewatch boats go from (usually people who are going on the whalewatch walk to the office and get bussed up there but since I had a freebie and had to go find some bloke called Chevy I had to walk to the docks). It was a nice walk though, it took about an hour through the race course and along the beach. It was sooo worth it though!
I was beyond excitement when the big sperm whale suddenyl popped up less than 5 metres from the boat!!
They dont use sonar as they say the whales dont like it so they put a kind of mirophone in the water to hear the, so they can tell when their in a two km radius of the boat.. you can also see then blow from up to 2kms away too..
We only saw 1 sperm whale (often they see more) but it was amazing as he hung around for ages and did really rare stuff like surface feed and jaw snap (he turned upside down and snapped his jaws so we could see his teeth!!) when they go under its usually for 40-60 mins (the ones in kaikoura ayway, other ones elsewhere stay under longer)so you usally only get one chance to get that tail shot.. but we were lucky as he was messing aorund and came up again, and again for a total of 5 times... probably as he was surface hunting a shark!! Anyway, I could so go on this trip again and again!! It was great, we didnt seen any dolphins close up but 3 different species of albatross were flying around close by including the largest which is the royal albatross.
Then I came back, trudged to New World to do my weekly shop, had lunch down the fish and chip shop and went out to "The maori leap caves". they were very cute, not very big and not that spectacular but the little old man showing us around had lots of imaginative interpretations of every single stalagtite etc.. if you look closely this ones the virgin mary and this ones a sheep.. etc, but I wa sglad I went, it was a good way to spend a couple of hours and I like to feel that I've seen everything is the area.
Then I went and got a roasted duck and truffle pizza from the black rabbit and before I knew it, it was time to go on the star gazing trip.. which was great! I might just take up astronomy when I grow up! I will defiantely go again in a couple of weeks. He wanred me that as it was the full moon the sky would be so bright that we wouldnt be able to see as many stars but it was still fab!
You just have to see my pictures of the moon! You can put your camera up against the lens of the telecope and get a photo of it! It wa sso close up it was great!! AND I have a photo of saturn and jupiter, jupiter admittedly just looks like another moon in the photos, but you can blurrily see the rings around saturn.. throught he telescope it was amazing.. it literally looked like he had put a sticker on the elns it looks so perfect it looked like a toy!! It was sooo cool!!
I learnt all about the southern cross and how to find south and the millions of starsin the milky way (we have a better view in the southern hemisphere.. and we can also see orions belt and stuff as well).
Now I'm going to really show my "blondeness" now.. I've always been into star signs and stuff but never really thought about where they come from and stuff.. this was an amazing way to see how its done.. you could really see the moon in virgo and that saturn was in cancer.. how cool is that!!?
Needless to say by the time I got back at 10:30pm after having been awake since 5:30am I was shattered! So it was straight to bed for me! I was still recovering yesterday.. it was a busy day yesterday as Moira had let 4 kiwi experience people stay.. which meant they had left the place a complete state (and they wonder why they have a reputation?)
I was quite gutted actually as a kiwi experience guy had left him digital camera/ video camera behind 2 weeks and not phoned.. I was beginning to think I was going to have a nice new one for myself.. but he sent his friend by to collect it yesterday.. shame. Strange what people leave behind and never bother to phone up for..!
Tonight I have the evening off which is really exciting off. Ruth has had a lot of time off over the last few months so she is going to pay back some of her time by giving me a couple of evenings off, starting with tonight. I am going to go to a yoga class, and if I like it she might work Wedesday nights for me from now on!) which will be great!! as its really hard to get exercise when your working all day. I have been doing a pilates video I got out the library quite alot but its good to have variation! (and I hopefully might get to meet some other locals).
Sunday, April 01, 2007
More of the whales tail.. you'll have to wait for more photos till another day off. 9I have to coem into the internet shop to download photos from CD as the CD drive at work doesnt work) and theres much more fun things to do on my day off rather than sit in fron of a computer.. but I had to print off my aussie work visa application as well sicne theres no printer at home either..
will update tomorrow at work to tell you all how great the whalewatch was!
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