Holliday is over!

Time flies when your having fun! It’s been three weeks since my last update, I’m ashamed ;-). Ok so the first weekend here, Saturday the 5th of January, Trudie and I drove down to Drummond, which is near Invercargill, to pick up Tiffany and Elise. It’s a 7 hour drive through beautiful landscapes. We had coffee at a really nice place that Trudie new, the Sheering shed near Rangitoto. Remembered where it is so I can take people there when they come over! After Dunedin the hills start and you start getting tired so the last part seemed to take forever. But then at last we arrived expecting to little girls to come running up to us but the house was empty! They were at the beach with Nanna and granddad so we explored the house, because they had just moved in to it and sat on the porch waiting for them to come home. But when they did arrive it was so much fun. Got some big hugs, they got their Christmass presents and where over the moon. Next day we did the same drive back pfff.

Don’t really recall doing anything interesting the next week, went into town one day to see immigration and got all the forms to fill out, a whole stack of them! Met up with Christy, who had just come back from a trip to Coromandel. Got invited to a BBQ that Leo was having with some Brasilian friends. Leo works on Dairy 2 now, where I used to work.

Then Friday the 11th came and we started packing for the big camping trip. Trudie went to work and Toby would start packing up the trailer when bad luck struck. Toby was getting into the cupboard for some after work snacking when he chipped his tooth. At first it seemed ok but soon you could just tell by his face the pain was getting bad. So Trudie had to come home from work so they could drive an hour into town and see an after hour dentist. Poor thing, tooth got pulled. Good start of your vacation isn’t it! Well in the mean time I did all the house work and had just finished doing the bathroom, toilet and kitchen when they got back at midnight.

So not all went as planned, as for the time of departure…we were just 2 hour behind schedule hihi. Stopped in Darfield for some last things and got lunch to eat somewhere on the road. I was in my own car, right behind them. To my surprise they pulled over after just 10 minutes of driving. Two little girls in the back had been complaining of being hungry. So at about 1pm we were still just 30 minutes from home aahhh. Oh well finally on the road! Just 6 hour to go. At our little break half way, at Springs Junction, it looked as if I had hit something while driving. Oh no I could not have killed something! Ppff luckily not, it was just my car, radiator is full of rust and car was overheating so it let out steam, very rusty steam! Car is at the garage now, so hopefully it’ll be allright.

Finally we arrived at the camp site and 2 hours later we had set up one 3 bedroom tent including a sunroom that turned into a complete kitchen, a gazebo, my own private tent as big as my living room in Rotterdam, the volleyball net, the net ball hoop and the spinball thingie. Table was set, dinner was ready, pretty good I thought! We treated ourselves to a good and well deserved drink.

We had a lovely week. So relaxing. The campsite was beautiful, quite, lots to do for the kid. There was a playground, waterslide, flying fox, BMX trail and the main highlight the river! Fresh, clear and cool water. Oh it was heavenly to get in it because it was stinking hot everyday. Not complaining though I love summer! Everynight we made marshmellows and bread on a stick (can't remember the name).

Sunday the 13th was Toby’s birthday so the girls sang their happy birthday, monkey song over and over again. Met the rest of the family. Sunday Craig, Mel and Kaylie came to visit and spend the day at the campsite. We didn’t know at the time but they were actually with the four of them! Later that week Leanne, Chris, Yes, George and Emma came down and we also went up to their place one day to enjoy their new pool. Also met up with Rose, spent a night at her place in Ngaio bay

On Saturday we packed up, Toby and Trudie headed south with the girls, home. I drove north to Nelson and met up with Julia and Gabby. Had a great night on the town, enjoying the cocktails and dancing. I stayed at Julia's place and the next day we drove up to Cable bay, where Gabby is now working at a really nice little café. Had lunch and laid on the beach for a while. Really lovely relaxing day.

Monday the 21th I drove down a was home at 3. Home sweet home! The week past quickly again. Had a disappointment to get over. I had applied for this great job and didn’t even get invited for an interview! Went into town 2 days to go into recruitment agencies, have a nice lunch, soy cappucino’s and some shopping! Although I do love the kiwi food and the meals Trudie was making I was craving for my pasta, rice and curries. So the fridge is full of smelly cheese and veggies now hihi.

This weekend got invited to the 65th birthday party of Christy’s dad. Was a really nice night, kiwi bbq and sitting around the fire enjoying a nice summer night. Sunday Gaye, Christy and I went over to Sinead. Finally! Oh was so good to see her again, she’s just lovely. She’s Irish and has been her for over 4 years now. Bought a house last June and I just absolutely loved it. She’s a chef and treated us to a nice homemade soup and rubarb meringue pie for pudding. Jummie!

This week has started of on a better foot. Went into the office, had a talk with Mike. He gave me some pointers on my resume and will contact some people. Feel more optimistic again about finding a job and still have plenty of time! But please keep sending me positive energy cause think I’ll need it ;-).

First week NZ!

Friday the 28th of December 2008 I started a new journey. After a long travel, yes it is quite a far way away hihih, I arrived in Christcurch on Sunday morning. Soon I found a familiar face that came running towards me, Trudie! Together with Toby they came to pick me up and with a big hug and some tears it was welcome home!

We when straight into town to do some shopping. The new years eve party was on the next day and we had to buy a new stereo and do all the food and drinks shopping. Luckily it wasn't to bad seeing a parties here are always bring your own. Off course the one who has the party always makes sure there's plenty of everything.

I also bought the kids some chrissie pressies ;-). Tiffany and Elise are at Nana's in the south for a week. I was a bit disappointed at first, was really looking forward to seeing them, but then again it may be better to have a week of peace to get settled in here. The did leave me a surprise... (see picture above)

The next day it was stinking hot, full on summer here about 33degrees. We spend the day getting ready for the party cleaning the house, preparing the salads and the BBQ, setting up the tables in the garden. seeing as I have to earn my keep I was equipped with a bucket and some cloths and sent into the bathroom and toilet. I was aloud to have a break when Trudie yelled "Breaktime" hahah no seriously I'm most welcome to stay here for as long i want and I'm more than happy to pitch in.

Had a great night, It was so good to see everyone again. Some new faces but most of them familiar from last year when I worked here. When it cooled down we moved to the garage and after another couple of hours and some more alcohol the singstar came out. Always heaps of fun! Eventually I even got up and sang and with good result...beat the singstar princess Trudie up to 3 times!

Woke up quite early the next day and started cleaning up the big mess. So when Trudie and Toby got up it was all gone and I was rewarded with a big breakfast of bacon, egg tomato's,hashbrowns made by Toby, jummie! Rest of the day just did nothing ;-)

Wednesday we all felt a bit better. Looked on the internet for cars and in the afternoon I did my first bit of farmwork. They had to cover a bit pile of silage with plastic and tires so Toby decide to go help. Trudie and I came a long but Trudie said we were only gonna watch a drink bear after but within a few minutes we were both on top of the pile helping. Should have been prepared but wasn't so my brand new Birkenstocks, which I finally decided to buy for myself, were soaking in dirty water from the tires within seconds ;-( did the rest barefoot. The burning sun on my head and I guess I'm not used to the heavy work anymore caused me to feel really bad after only half an hour work...have to get this body back in shape because think I'll be doing some more farmwork while I'm staying here.

Yesterday we went into town and after spending the whole day going from dealer to dealer and not really finding anything we ended up at hororata, 10 minutes from the farm ;-), and there was a car for $1000,-. Looked awful, had been sitting outside in the grass forever, spiderwebs everywhere and really dirty and dusty inside but otherwise ok so 15 minutes later I was the proud owner of a white nissan bluebird.

Well, have to say that I wasn't that proud at first, had a funny feeling in my stomach, just didn't trust the car straight away. The thing is my mazda from last year was a really good sturdy car, sold it to that same place and he said that this nissan was ok but not as good as my old car...but unfortunately he sold her and someone else is now taking care of my baby. Today Trudie and I went to Darfield for coffee and chocolate mud cake and I must say I'm starting to like my car! Gave it a really good scrub yesterday and turned out nice.

So the first goal is achieved, got myself some wheels. Next step...a job. I'll keep you posted on that one!

So after my first week here I can say I'm doing good. Sometimes a think to much and start to worry about whether or not I'm doing the right thing. Leaving all my friend and family behind but with all the support here I'll be fine or like they say here...she'll be right! You can ring me on no. 006433188129 (Toby and Trudie's landline, please realise the time difference of 12 hours) or text me on my mobile. As soon as I have a NZ number I let you know.