Hi all,
It's been a pretty good day. It is Friday, the start of Labour Day weekend, and I had a free professional massage in the middle of work. It is one of the many perks of working at Write (others include free smoothies, weekly prizes, Tim Tams, and social events.) It was my second massage since I started there, and I felt all woozy and relaxed when I got back to my desk.
We all dressed up as labourers to celebrate the holiday. I went dressed as a gardener, with a bandanna, pigtails, a jean skirt, a peasant top, and gardening boots. We had a lot of construction workers, an electrician, and a rice paddy worker. It was pretty funny. We all brought food for a "smoko" as well...I had a scotch egg, a sandwich, posh cheese, a scone, lollies, chippies (not to be confused with chips!), and some Turkish bread. I had made coconut cookies for my contribution, but there was so much food that they sort of got lost in the shuffle.
Tonight we are going out to Cafe Istanbul for some Turkish food and bellydancing. Like lots of other restaurants, it is BYO, so I'll pick up a bottle of wine on my way back into town.
I'm pretty happy with things at the moment. I've become the resident IT and graphics expert at work, which I find humorous. I really don't know very much, but it is still more than most people, I guess. It has been a huge boost of confidence for me.
Love and miss everyone,
Amy
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
General update, and a pledge!
Hi everyone,
I've gotten slack on the blogging, and I need to fix that. I guess when you fall into a routine, it is easy to forget to share your thoughts and stories, since you don't feel like you have any. But I am still learning new things, meeting new people, and seeing new sights every single day. I think I just needed to remind myself of that.
Last weekend we stayed around the house. Our activities are always dependent on the weather, and it was rainy and blustery. We left the house just long enough to go to the grocery store, and we did manage a quick picnic by the sea on Sunday. We bought salad and fruit and some rolls and ate in Shorland Park, so I guess all was not lost.
It is a three day weekend here this weekend (NZ's Labour Day). It sort of snuck up on us, and so we didn't have anything planned. We were considering a last minute trip back to the Tongariro Crossing, but once again, the weather looks like poo. It is an eight hour hike, so if you get wet and cold, it would be pretty miserable. So our Plan B is Martinborough, the wine region. Plan C is an island in Wellington Harbour and a day trip to Days Bay. We'll see what happens.
In the meantime I'm busy planning for my parents' visit. I can't wait to see them and show them around! We booked the ferry, which will be all of our first trip to the South Island. We are spending two nights in the sunny, arty town of Nelson, and the day in between will be spent at the Abel Tasman National Park.
Work is going well. My boss and I have agreed on my schedule, which means I'll be working from 9 until 1.30 for the foreseeable future. The buses from Island Bay can be pretty unreliable in the mornings, so at least I'm able to continue taking the express bus. It easily cuts the communiting time in half. I also get to wake up after 7am and catch the bus with Rory, which makes the mornings pleasant.
Rory just had his first performance review, and it went very well. So it seems that we are both settled in our jobs for now.
It is windy out at the moment (surprise, surprise). I need to walk to the grocery store and cook dinner...my usual late afternoon activities. :)
Love, Amy
P.S. My thoughts go out to the American couple that was attacked in Ecuador. You are always at risk when you are traveling, and it could have easily been Rory and I. In fact, reading their blog (sudamericadventure.blogspot.com), they were just in Guatemala a few weeks ago. My best wishes to them.
I've gotten slack on the blogging, and I need to fix that. I guess when you fall into a routine, it is easy to forget to share your thoughts and stories, since you don't feel like you have any. But I am still learning new things, meeting new people, and seeing new sights every single day. I think I just needed to remind myself of that.
Last weekend we stayed around the house. Our activities are always dependent on the weather, and it was rainy and blustery. We left the house just long enough to go to the grocery store, and we did manage a quick picnic by the sea on Sunday. We bought salad and fruit and some rolls and ate in Shorland Park, so I guess all was not lost.
It is a three day weekend here this weekend (NZ's Labour Day). It sort of snuck up on us, and so we didn't have anything planned. We were considering a last minute trip back to the Tongariro Crossing, but once again, the weather looks like poo. It is an eight hour hike, so if you get wet and cold, it would be pretty miserable. So our Plan B is Martinborough, the wine region. Plan C is an island in Wellington Harbour and a day trip to Days Bay. We'll see what happens.
In the meantime I'm busy planning for my parents' visit. I can't wait to see them and show them around! We booked the ferry, which will be all of our first trip to the South Island. We are spending two nights in the sunny, arty town of Nelson, and the day in between will be spent at the Abel Tasman National Park.
Work is going well. My boss and I have agreed on my schedule, which means I'll be working from 9 until 1.30 for the foreseeable future. The buses from Island Bay can be pretty unreliable in the mornings, so at least I'm able to continue taking the express bus. It easily cuts the communiting time in half. I also get to wake up after 7am and catch the bus with Rory, which makes the mornings pleasant.
Rory just had his first performance review, and it went very well. So it seems that we are both settled in our jobs for now.
It is windy out at the moment (surprise, surprise). I need to walk to the grocery store and cook dinner...my usual late afternoon activities. :)
Love, Amy
P.S. My thoughts go out to the American couple that was attacked in Ecuador. You are always at risk when you are traveling, and it could have easily been Rory and I. In fact, reading their blog (sudamericadventure.blogspot.com), they were just in Guatemala a few weeks ago. My best wishes to them.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Pictures from the weekend
Guess I should finish this post!
It was a sunny, relaxed weekend. Saturday we took a long walk (about 9km) around to Lyall Bay and back over the hills to Island Bay. Sunday we went to Scorching Bay and also took a daring hike up a hill. It was probably a bit too daring...it felt a bit dangerous, and there were open mine shafts around. I was glad to get down to the beach again.
Love, Amy
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Permanent employee of Write
Hi everyone,
I signed my contract today, which means I will stay at Write for the foreseeable future. They know that I'm still looking for a job in my field, but the ball is now in my court. At least I can count on having a job, and I like working there.
So everything here is going smoothly. I joined Democrats Abroad and watched the debate in an Irish pub last night. The entire upstairs was turned into a theatre with a bar in the back, and it was really good fun. We'll do the same thing for the last debate next week, and then have an all day-all night election Marathon on November 5th (which is really the 4th for all you North Americans!).
That is all my news. I'll try to write again soon.
Best regards,
Amy
I signed my contract today, which means I will stay at Write for the foreseeable future. They know that I'm still looking for a job in my field, but the ball is now in my court. At least I can count on having a job, and I like working there.
So everything here is going smoothly. I joined Democrats Abroad and watched the debate in an Irish pub last night. The entire upstairs was turned into a theatre with a bar in the back, and it was really good fun. We'll do the same thing for the last debate next week, and then have an all day-all night election Marathon on November 5th (which is really the 4th for all you North Americans!).
That is all my news. I'll try to write again soon.
Best regards,
Amy
Friday, October 3, 2008
A few pictures
Hi everyone,
I took these yesterday. They include my desk, my view, the view from the training room, and bowling at Lanes (in that order).
Love, Amy
Stormy Saturday
Hi everyone,
Rory and I are just hunkered down in the house for the evening. There are severe gale warnings (equivalent to a storm warning in the US) and also a heavy rain warning. Some places could get 5 or 6 inches of rain overnight...so we have decided to stick to indoor activities.
We went to the store and stocked up on groceries. We'll make Moroccan food and naan bread, and maybe some chocolate chip cookies. Cooking is always fun, especially when you have nowhere to be and can put on some good music. The only thing that could put a wrench in our plans is a power outage, so we have candles and matches ready.
I had an accomplished week at work and celebrated by going out last night with my coworkers. It was Leigh's leaving do (party), so we went out to Lanes. Lanes is a bar/nightclub/bowling alley and it is awesome. I only had enough time to bowl four frames and it was time to meet Rory for dinner, but I had a great time spending some social time with my coworkers. Rory and I then went out to Calypso for some Caribbean food, which was very nice.
We're hoping that the weather improves for tomorrow, so that we can go on another long Sunday walk. We'll see.
I also wanted to wish good my mom good luck in the walking marathon tomorrow! Love you.
Hugs,
Amy
Rory and I are just hunkered down in the house for the evening. There are severe gale warnings (equivalent to a storm warning in the US) and also a heavy rain warning. Some places could get 5 or 6 inches of rain overnight...so we have decided to stick to indoor activities.
We went to the store and stocked up on groceries. We'll make Moroccan food and naan bread, and maybe some chocolate chip cookies. Cooking is always fun, especially when you have nowhere to be and can put on some good music. The only thing that could put a wrench in our plans is a power outage, so we have candles and matches ready.
I had an accomplished week at work and celebrated by going out last night with my coworkers. It was Leigh's leaving do (party), so we went out to Lanes. Lanes is a bar/nightclub/bowling alley and it is awesome. I only had enough time to bowl four frames and it was time to meet Rory for dinner, but I had a great time spending some social time with my coworkers. Rory and I then went out to Calypso for some Caribbean food, which was very nice.
We're hoping that the weather improves for tomorrow, so that we can go on another long Sunday walk. We'll see.
I also wanted to wish good my mom good luck in the walking marathon tomorrow! Love you.
Hugs,
Amy
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