Hi everyone,
Things are still going well here in Welly. It was a beautiful sunny day today, tomorrow is Friday, and my job is still enjoyable. I feel like I am getting to know my workmates better, and I even got my own phone and phone number today! They also mentioned something about a bigger desk...does this mean they intend to keep me? I'm still not sure.
Tomorrow evening is a special fashion show that the Write Group is putting on for our office building (all 11 floors of it!). It will be catered and the theme will be recycled fashion, which is right up my street. I'm looking forward to socializing with everyone in a casual manner; I think it will help to break the little ice that remains. Michelle should be returning on Monday, so I'll resume my normal duties then.
Rory is very busy with his new Xbox. I've tried to buy him a few things at the charity shops, but he doesn't get as excited about bargains as I do. Then again, he only paid 40 bucks for his new telly, so maybe he is a fledgling bargain-hunter.
We don't really have any plans for the weekend yet. The weekends keep coming up so quickly that we don't really have time to think of anything exciting to do. If the weather holds, I'd like to walk to the seal colony at Owhiro (pronounced "Ofeero" here in NZ) Bay, which is about an hour and a half walk each way. I'll be sure to take photos if we make it!
Miss and love you all.
X,
Amy
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Monday, August 25, 2008
Another Monday
Hi everyone,
Just thought I'd update you quickly about the job and other things. Michelle is still not doing well and will not be returning to work for at least a few more days. She has been in and out of the ER, and the doctors can't seem to pinpoint what is wrong. In the meantime I am helping some other girls with database work, and I'm sure it'll keep me occupied the rest of the week.
We had a quiet weekend here. We tried to go shopping for Rory, but we didn't find anything. I was shocked at the prices again...I think I'll be sticking to my charity shops! A pair of Levi's cost about 200 dollars here. It is nuts. On Sunday Rory had to go into work for a bit, and I didn't leave the house all day (lazy but wonderful). I made an awesome soup from kumara (their version of a sweet potato), and Rory picked up his new TV. Our gameroom is now almost complete!
I should probably be applying to permanent positions in the afternoons, but I've been taking it easy so far. It is just so nice to get dressed up, walk downtown, and chat to my coworkers. I feel so much better than I did a few weeks ago, and I'm continue to take things one step at a time.
Love, Amy
Just thought I'd update you quickly about the job and other things. Michelle is still not doing well and will not be returning to work for at least a few more days. She has been in and out of the ER, and the doctors can't seem to pinpoint what is wrong. In the meantime I am helping some other girls with database work, and I'm sure it'll keep me occupied the rest of the week.
We had a quiet weekend here. We tried to go shopping for Rory, but we didn't find anything. I was shocked at the prices again...I think I'll be sticking to my charity shops! A pair of Levi's cost about 200 dollars here. It is nuts. On Sunday Rory had to go into work for a bit, and I didn't leave the house all day (lazy but wonderful). I made an awesome soup from kumara (their version of a sweet potato), and Rory picked up his new TV. Our gameroom is now almost complete!
I should probably be applying to permanent positions in the afternoons, but I've been taking it easy so far. It is just so nice to get dressed up, walk downtown, and chat to my coworkers. I feel so much better than I did a few weeks ago, and I'm continue to take things one step at a time.
Love, Amy
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Finished with my first week at Write!
Hi everyone,
One week down, and things are going well. There seems to be plenty for me to do, and I already feel right at home. The CEO, Lynda, joked that they were slowly reeling me in from the first day I visited. I'm still not certain whether it will turn into a permanent/full time job, but since I started one person has resigned and the new PA announced her pregnancy...so they might need some extra help in the months ahead. We'll see.
The only low point thus far was today, when Michelle had to be taken to hospital. I knew that she wasn't feeling well for two or three days, and it turns out that her heart is acting up. She called her doctor this morning, and he told her to report to the ER immediately. Needless to say, it was quite scary, and I haven't heard any news since.
We're having Ula and Norman over for dinner tonight, and Nik is making lamb curry. As far as the rest of the weekend goes, I'm not sure what we have planned. Rory is hoping that he isn't called in to work part of the weekend, as they have been very busy. The weather is supposed to turn, as well, so we might end up curled up on the couch watching the Olympics. I'll really miss them once they are finished, and I think that they are nearing the home stretch.
Well, I think that is it. I celebrated the end of my week by purchasing a few more items of work clothing. Since I've arrived in NZ I've dropped over a dress size, so its been important to me to find some clothes that fit properly. Unfortunately, even my nice winter coat is starting to look funny on me...and I can't afford a new one of those! Roll on spring!
Love,
Amy
One week down, and things are going well. There seems to be plenty for me to do, and I already feel right at home. The CEO, Lynda, joked that they were slowly reeling me in from the first day I visited. I'm still not certain whether it will turn into a permanent/full time job, but since I started one person has resigned and the new PA announced her pregnancy...so they might need some extra help in the months ahead. We'll see.
The only low point thus far was today, when Michelle had to be taken to hospital. I knew that she wasn't feeling well for two or three days, and it turns out that her heart is acting up. She called her doctor this morning, and he told her to report to the ER immediately. Needless to say, it was quite scary, and I haven't heard any news since.
We're having Ula and Norman over for dinner tonight, and Nik is making lamb curry. As far as the rest of the weekend goes, I'm not sure what we have planned. Rory is hoping that he isn't called in to work part of the weekend, as they have been very busy. The weather is supposed to turn, as well, so we might end up curled up on the couch watching the Olympics. I'll really miss them once they are finished, and I think that they are nearing the home stretch.
Well, I think that is it. I celebrated the end of my week by purchasing a few more items of work clothing. Since I've arrived in NZ I've dropped over a dress size, so its been important to me to find some clothes that fit properly. Unfortunately, even my nice winter coat is starting to look funny on me...and I can't afford a new one of those! Roll on spring!
Love,
Amy
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Third day at the Write Group...
....and I have my desk all set up! My new computer was delivered, and I've got a nice workspace facing the windows. We're on the ninth floor, so there is quite a bit to look down upon. Everyone has been kind to me, and I'm slowly learning how things operate.
Maybe I should describe the company a bit more. Write Group are specialists in Plain English, which is an international movement to make writing easier to understand. Governments (including the US) have passed laws that demand public documents and contracts be written in Plain Language, so that everyone knows exactly what it means. In New Zealand, Write Group works with government Ministries as well as private businesses (lawyers, councils, etc.) to ensure that their employees are skilled in Plain Language.
My flatmate is an editor, so she works in the WriteEdit department. She transforms documents from "goobledygook" into Plain English. I work for the WriteCoach manager, Michelle, who is in charge of public and private workshops. Companies and individuals take classes from our trainers in order to learn how to write more clearly.
I am basically Michelle's assistant. So far I've done some filing, client research, and computer work, and everyday will be a bit different, I suspect. The morning flies by.
That is all for now,
love,
Amy
Maybe I should describe the company a bit more. Write Group are specialists in Plain English, which is an international movement to make writing easier to understand. Governments (including the US) have passed laws that demand public documents and contracts be written in Plain Language, so that everyone knows exactly what it means. In New Zealand, Write Group works with government Ministries as well as private businesses (lawyers, councils, etc.) to ensure that their employees are skilled in Plain Language.
My flatmate is an editor, so she works in the WriteEdit department. She transforms documents from "goobledygook" into Plain English. I work for the WriteCoach manager, Michelle, who is in charge of public and private workshops. Companies and individuals take classes from our trainers in order to learn how to write more clearly.
I am basically Michelle's assistant. So far I've done some filing, client research, and computer work, and everyday will be a bit different, I suspect. The morning flies by.
That is all for now,
love,
Amy
Sunday, August 17, 2008
First day at Write Group
Hi everyone,
I started my role at Write Group this morning, and it went well. It seems like it will be a lot of calendar management and word processing. Everyone is very welcoming at the office, and I think it will be a great part-time job (for now). I go to work at 9, so Rory and I are able to ride the bus into work together. My shift ends at 12:30 or 1, and then I'm able to go home for lunch, or grab something in town.
Oh, but there is this: there was fresh gum on my bus seat this morning, so I had to report to work with ruined tights. Lame.
This afternoon I went to Newtown to pick up some bits and bobs. I bought some new tights (see above), some toiletries, my new Snapper bus pass (sort of like the Oyster card in London), and then hit up the second hand shops. What in the world would I do without charity shops? For $20 NZ dollars I bought: A Footprint Nepal Travel Guide, A Lonely Planet Southern Africa Travel Guide, a big black leather purse for work, a small leather purse for traveling, a big leather belt, my new favorite Django & Juliette shoes (see picture!), and some other The Last Great Footwear shoes. It might seem like a lot, but I started with a list which included travel books (for our trip home), flat shoes for work, a purse, and a belt. So I didn't do too badly.
I am a charity shop addict.
Tonight I am making African Peanut Chicken soup (with our leftover roast chicken, peanut butter, tomatoes, onions, curry powder, and potatoes). We've been crunching numbers for our savings account, and Rory got the all-clear from his boss for getting our visas extended.
Love, Amy
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Decisions, decisions...
Hi all,
We're having a nice low-key weekend here in Wellington. Friday night the housemates made a big dinner and had (a few) beers, and yesterday Rory and I had a walk around town. We talked to Air NZ (more about that below) and also had a great lunch at a Japanese restaurant on Cuba Street. It was reasonably priced and very tasty. I think I must be acclimatized to the prices here, as fifteen dollars for a meal now seems decent. Last night we watched the Olympics and drank the rest of our beer. On several events it was NZ vs. USA vs. UK, so tensions were running high between the flatmates! Just kidding, it was all good fun, and NZ came away with three medals in rowing (their first of the 2008 Olympics).
The situation with our return flights are just what we expected: they are not transferable and non-refundable. The lady who helped us was actually surprised at how little we paid in the first place, and for us to pay the difference in order to fly home in April will be substantial. For me, it would be $150 US for the change fee, plus at least $500 US for the difference. For Rory, it would be a little less, but still at least half of what we paid in the first place. Crazy.
We do want to stay another year, so if we went home we'd have to buy another roundtrip ticket to get back again (and it would have to be roundtrip, to get through customs). This would be at least another $1500. Plus, for me, I'd have to get to the UK after that, which is another $900. So we're looking at alternatives.
We might have to just let our return ticket go, and then find a different way back to the UK. If we stay another year and a half, and put money into our travel savings account every week, we think that we can afford to do some serious backpacking. To put it in perspective, we'd have to pay $1500 US to get a one-way ticket to either the US or UK, whereas we could spend that same money and break it into several flights on the way home. We can get to Australia for $300, then from Australia to Thailand for $600, then Thailand to India for $250, then India to South Africa...and so on....we'll have time, and it is likely our last big adventure before we settle down.
So that is where things stand at the moment. I'm sad that it seems like I won't be able to come home, but I don't think two weeks would be worth the expense and the exhaustion. We're open to suggestions, so please leave comments and tell us what you think!
We're going to the market in about an hour, and then giving Colin a send-off dinner this afternoon. He will be boarding at Nik's parents until November, when he returns to the UK. Tomorrow I start work! Hooray!
Love, Amy
We're having a nice low-key weekend here in Wellington. Friday night the housemates made a big dinner and had (a few) beers, and yesterday Rory and I had a walk around town. We talked to Air NZ (more about that below) and also had a great lunch at a Japanese restaurant on Cuba Street. It was reasonably priced and very tasty. I think I must be acclimatized to the prices here, as fifteen dollars for a meal now seems decent. Last night we watched the Olympics and drank the rest of our beer. On several events it was NZ vs. USA vs. UK, so tensions were running high between the flatmates! Just kidding, it was all good fun, and NZ came away with three medals in rowing (their first of the 2008 Olympics).
The situation with our return flights are just what we expected: they are not transferable and non-refundable. The lady who helped us was actually surprised at how little we paid in the first place, and for us to pay the difference in order to fly home in April will be substantial. For me, it would be $150 US for the change fee, plus at least $500 US for the difference. For Rory, it would be a little less, but still at least half of what we paid in the first place. Crazy.
We do want to stay another year, so if we went home we'd have to buy another roundtrip ticket to get back again (and it would have to be roundtrip, to get through customs). This would be at least another $1500. Plus, for me, I'd have to get to the UK after that, which is another $900. So we're looking at alternatives.
We might have to just let our return ticket go, and then find a different way back to the UK. If we stay another year and a half, and put money into our travel savings account every week, we think that we can afford to do some serious backpacking. To put it in perspective, we'd have to pay $1500 US to get a one-way ticket to either the US or UK, whereas we could spend that same money and break it into several flights on the way home. We can get to Australia for $300, then from Australia to Thailand for $600, then Thailand to India for $250, then India to South Africa...and so on....we'll have time, and it is likely our last big adventure before we settle down.
So that is where things stand at the moment. I'm sad that it seems like I won't be able to come home, but I don't think two weeks would be worth the expense and the exhaustion. We're open to suggestions, so please leave comments and tell us what you think!
We're going to the market in about an hour, and then giving Colin a send-off dinner this afternoon. He will be boarding at Nik's parents until November, when he returns to the UK. Tomorrow I start work! Hooray!
Love, Amy
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