Staying in one place... for now!
Trip Start
May 06, 2006
1
58
81
Trip End
Mar 23, 2009
Christchurch,
New Zealand
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
So, I'm back in Christchurch and my god it's cold! New Zealand is in serious denial that they have a winter and homes should consider investing in central heating 'cos it's plain ridiculous! You actually breathe cold air inside the houses and buildings! It's insane. And for someone who seriously feels the cold after over a year in the hot places this is not a good thing!
My visit home this time was great. Surprising my dad for his 60th birthday was perfect (he had no idea!) and I got to see lots of my growing up family, some very good friends as well as getting to know some newer ones a little better ;) I managed to work this time to just about break even on the bank balance and my nan gave me her car again so I could do all of the above! Sorry to those I made a fool of myself in front of (e.g. Gem's dad!) and thank you to everyone who made this trip home so enjoyable. Hopefully I will see some of you on this side of the world soonish (but wait until December when it's supposed to be warm!)!
I'm now working for a company that makes software for companies to do their payroll (that's a long sentence!). I started last Wednesday so have been here almost a week. Everyone is very friendly and my first week ended with a BBQ on the roof and lots of alcohol - all supplied by the company! It's a regular occurance apparently - on the last Friday of every month and any time anyone leaves! I'll be here until at least the 21st Sept and possibly longer so it should be a fun few weeks. The job isn't too taxing (I'm currently at work!) but it should earn me enough money to move on (as long as I don't go too crazy at the weekends!).
I went back to the hostel I had stayed at before I left to go home and got to meet up with some friends I'd made before I left and also made some new ones which is always good. It was very tough getting back into any kind of sleeping routine (it was much easier jetlag wise going home!) and I struggled to stay awake past 6pm everyday but I got there eventually! Last weekend was a party night to remember (or not in my case!) and I woke up with bruises from play fighting and very ripped jeans (thanks to Matt and Kieron!). Neither of them came out unharmed though so I give as good as I get (thanks to my brother 'training' me as a kid!)! I'm not sure going out after the work drinks will be a good idea in the future! Unfortunately most of the hostel people have moved on already but I'll probably bump into them again at some point!
I have also now moved into a house as I could tell getting enough sleep (those who know me well will know how important sleep is to me!) was going to be a problem. It's a great hostel 'cos it's just like a real home (with Eugene, Genine and little Nikita being the family!) and I would've stayed but I found somewhere slightly cheaper and where I had my own room! It's a lovely house with a stream out the back, a hot bath tub in the garden (?!) and two cats - one of whom has taken to sleeping on my bed every night which is perfect for me! Acutally, that was a huge selling point 'cos I am missing the tigers and general animal contact more than I ever imagined I would! It's not that close to work but the woman I live with has lent me her bike so I'm getting an hours exercise each day - even if I do have to dodge the iced over puddles in the morning and it takes me about 3 hours to thaw once I get to work! It also means I don't have to pay for the bus which is a definite bonus!
Anyway, not much else to update other than getting to real life for the next few weeks! Weekends will probably be fairly tame for a while - I tried to volunteer at local animal places but they don't take volunteers and the zoo only takes people to work with the tourists and god knows I'm done with that for a while!!
I'll try to add some pics of the beautiful views from my office soon (grassy mountains one side and snow capped mountains the other!) and if I do anything of interest I'll let you know! I'm just deciding between buying a car or a bus ticket and I have to actually start planning my travels now or my time will run out before I know it! Planning is all new to me so it's gonna be interesting (once I actually get around to doing it!).
Hope everything is well with you all and email me with any news soon! Take care.
