My last 20 cents

So I'm down to my last 20 cents! Ahhhh! Well, not technically, but pretty much. I only have 20 cent left in coins/cash. I have a bit of money saved in my NZ bank account but I'm trying to actually save that and I have a few dollars in my NZ checking account but I need that for auto withdrawls that will be coming out of that account in the future. So basically, I'm down to 20 cents! Yikes! (Don't worry too much though, I have plenty of money in my US bank account, I'm just not trying to use that either). Here's a photo of what I spent $15.20 on tonight that left me with only 20 cents afterwards:

Ciabatta Bread and Mozzarella Cheese, Yum!

In other news, my cowboy boots showed up today! As you may remember, I purchased these a few months ago after my current pair molded while sitting on the concrete floor. I looked into getting the current pair repaired but the leather is in such terrible condition that I was told it wasn't worth it. I have been holding off on having my new ones sent to me as I didn't really have a real address until now. I opened the box today and it's amazing that the pair I currently have ever even looked like the other ones. I ordered the exact same pair of boots so it must be what they looked like at one point, but man are mine worn out! Take a look:

I bet you can't tell which are the new ones ;)

In boring news, I worked again today. I'm really starting to get a feel for how things run at Ortolana and I'm liking it. It's definitely 5 start service. The expectations are very high, but the customers really enjoy it. My next task, memorize the menu and be prepared for customer questions! The quicker I can do that, the quicker I get my pay raised, and the quicker I start making more money. Wish me luck!

That's all for tonight.

Best!

Oh and lastly - a shout out to my MoneyGram ladies, Kristine, Stephanie, and Tammy. I was thinking about our crock pot meals the other day and I miss those. :( Hope you are all doing well. Miss you!

Day 1 at Ortolana

Today was my first official day working with Hipgroup - a full shift, 4 to close at Ortolana. It went very well! I'm definitely still learning but I think it's going to continue to get easier with each additional shift. Plus I think they're going to be teaching me lots as time goes by so eventually I'll probably be able to do just about everything - food running, serving, coffee making, etc... As I was sitting on my post-dinner break at about 9:00 I started thinking that I really enjoy the downtown location. On of my co-workers, Perry, told me they like me a lot there as well. Although it's not quite as close to my house as the Parnell location that I originally applied for, it is in the city and probably more exciting. Obviously I haven't said anything to my boss yet and nothing has changed but I think I wouldn't be opposed to working at their downtown locale. 

As for other news from today - I've got almost no money left and I don't get paid until Thursday (it's Tuesday here right now). Although this isn't a huge deal, I'm going to try to see if I can make it 2 more days on 10 dollars cash plus some coins I've got lying around. I have some money in the bank here but I really want to focus on actually saving money so I'm going to try not to dip into that if avoidable. I did some grocery shopping today so hopefully I'll have enough food to eat until Thursday - I've got like 3 dozen eggs so it might be a pretty boring next few days - when I can go buy some new things. I guess it's kind of fun to see what I can get by on if needed. My life is definitely much simpler here in Auckland than it was in Mpls.

Tomorrow - try not to spend money and then work at 3. Maybe finish my library book because that doesn't cost me anything and walk to the gym because I'm almost out of gas but can't afford to buy any more right now. 

That's all for now, folks!

Best!

Jaile Bun Shop

For lunch today I went to the Jaile Bun Shop in Northcote, an Auckland neighborhood on the northern side of the city - across the harbor bridge. (They don't have a website but you can check out a photo of some girls in the shop in here from a local magazine article about the place.) I don't remember if I wrote yesterday that I attempted to go here for dinner last night but it was closed. I drove back today, however, it was open, and it was amazing. The steamed buns they serve are huge and super tasty - especially the pork and veggie buns. I had 4 buns and was completely stuffed after leaving. And the best part? They only cost $1.20 each. You can eat a really good sized lunch at this place for less than $5. Amazing! I will definitely be making regular trips up to Northcote for the steam buns.

In job news, I will starting full time with Hipgroup tomorrow. I am working 4 - close tomorrow, Tuesday, and 3 - close Wednesday through Saturday of this week. Bring on the hours and bring on the money! I can't wait to be making regular money! I don't have any bigs plans to spend it, yet, but I am sure happy to be able to start saving maybe $100/week. And with the NZ dollar gaining strength against the USD, my money I'm earning here is worth more every day!

What else happened today... I had my trainer this morning. Probably the best session to date. I also went to the library and got a new crime book, which I didn't like. I just finished one by Donna Leon and I wasn't all that impressed. Today I picked one up by Quintin Jardine and didn't like it either. I asked a friend today if they ever read crime novels and they suggested I try Patricia Cornwell. There was only one of her novels at the library next to the bun shop, in large print, but so far so good. I'm about a third of the way through and it's the best I've read yet. Yay!

Let's see... anything else? Not really. Oh yes! I woke up this morning with a sore throat. It'd not getting any better, not any worse but not any better. I'm not very happy about it. I've had a few zinc lozenges today and I'll have some more tomorrow. I just really hope I'm not getting sick. I do know I am getting nervous for my new job though! Ah!!!

Okay, that's all for now.

Best!

Eating Ethiopian

Tonight for dinner I went to an Ethiopian restaurant, Cafe Abyssinia, here in Auckland. Apparently it's one of kind - no other Ethiopian restaurants to speak of. The food was good, but very different. I had a chicken dish serves with Enjera, a type of bread that you use as your silverware and plate. Click here for a photo of the Enjera and an explanation of the bread off the restaurant's website. There are no forks and knives at this restaurant, you eat with your hands. The chicken was tasty as was the bread, but the bread is definitely an acquired taste. It's a sour bread - like sour dough but maybe a little more intense. It wasn't bad but I can't say that I'm in love. I'm sure the quality is very good as all the reviews I read online before going were good, but I think I'd have to eat there a few more times to decide if it's really for me or not.

I spent the morning today catching up on my SVU. I was tired from work and felt like lounging in bed so that's exactly what I did. I watched the last 5 episodes off nbc.com. What a nice morning!

Yesterday I met with a girl Anna that I met on meetup.com about starting a book club. She posted something on a meetup group I'm a part of saying she wanted to start one but didn't know how. I met with her, told her what I did when I started my book club - what worked, what didn't, what to expect, what you need to think about - and helped her get the ball rolling with ideas at least. I think she'll probably organize a first meeting soon that I'll try to attend if possible. Ladies back home, this does NOT mean that I am leaving my American book club, just that I need another one while I"m on the road. Don't take it personally, you're not being replaced, it just appears that I may have room for 2 book clubs in my life right now.

I worked again last night - nothing too much to report there. It looks like that might've been my last shift as well. It's currently 9:40pm on Sunday night here and I still haven't heard from my boss about a schedule for this coming week. One of my co-workers told me I'm not on the roster but I haven't actually heard from my boss yet. In the interim I e-mailed my new boss to tell her to put me on the roster with some training shift this week any day she'd like. Looks like I've moved on from York Street to the Hipgroup. Exciting changes!

One observation I've had but have always forgotten to share with you about the road names/signage here in Auckland. Most roads here in Auckland, especially the big main roads that traverse the city, change their names about 5 times. For a comparison in Minneapolis, imagine Lake Street changing it's name 5 times between Lake Calhoun on the West side and the Mississippi River on the East side. Sure, if you'd lived in Mpls you entire life you'd know the road well and know the name changes but imagine how confusing this is to an out of towner when a road doesn't keep the same name for more than maybe 10-15 blocks. I've started to learn which roads turn into which other roads but it's still a work in progress. These name changes, however, lead to very interesting road name signage. All the road signs here in Auckland list the name of the road and then have "arrows" pointing to which direction(s) that name applies. By "arrows" I mean they use little signs like this: "<" or ">" so here's a few examples of road signs you might see:

<< Green Lane West >> (meaning Green Lane West is both to your left and right)

<< Balmoral Road Dominion Road >> (Balmoral Road to your left, Dominion Road to your right)

<< Green Lane West (Green Lane West to your left)

Green Lane East>> (Green Lane East to your right)

I'll try to take a few picture for read tomorrow to show you.

It's weird signage though. The first few times I saw it I didn't understand that the "<" and ">" were referring to direction, I thought it was just decoration or something. 

Now that I'm learning it it's not that bad but it had been very confusing to me in the past. You'd think they could just pick one name and stick with it for the length of the road. Essentially, with each new neighborhood everything must be renamed. 

Okay, that's all for tonight.

Best!

Job Change Official

Tonight I told my current boss that I have accepted a new job at another company and will not longer be working at York Street Mechanics. I always get nervous to do these things but it went really well. It actually almost went too well. I told him I was leaving and he was pretty much like "Ok". Not mad, not sad, not really anything, almost disinterested. It was as if I had told him what I ate for breakfast. I mean it's not like I was expecting him to be heartbroken or anything but I was just expecting a bit more of a response than what I got. But I guess I should just be happy it went so well!

Anyways, this morning I went to the gym and did another TRX workout which was good. Then ran some errands and watched an interesting show on the History Channel about the CIA's 30+ year efforts to remove Muammar Gaddafi from power. Rather interesting show.

Tonight at work I was all by myself and it was really busy, or at least too busy to be by myself. I was working super hard, and had two groups in. I felt really bad because I don't feel like I gave any table enough of the attention that they deserved but they all seemed happy. No tips though. I actually thought about this towards the end of the night. I'm sure I did at least $2000 in sales, if not more. If we were talking about being in the states I'm sure I would have gotten about $300 in tips - 15%. Here, nothing! I mean I don't really care, I just want everyone to enjoy themselves, but it's crazy to think about it nonetheless.

Anyways, it's after midnight here and I'm very tired. I need to put my feet up and my head down and let me body relax for 8 or 9 hours.

That's all for now.

Best!

Trial Shift with Hipgroup

Today I had my trial shift at Hipgroup's Ortolana location. I worked three hours over the lunch rush helping run the food to the tables. I wasn't all that hard - well I don't think it will be hard long term - but there's a lot to do and a lot of information to take in today. I had fun, however. Everyone was really nice and because everything, including the kitchen, is in the restaurant, everyone always has to stay calm and collected making a great overall attitude in the restaurant. After my shift I met with Natasha and she formally offered me the position. They are willing to take me on full time ASAP so whenever I'm done at York Street I'll have full time work with them. If I am to still work at York Street next week I will probably do a few shorter shifts at Ortolana at well to continue learning before the new location opens.

With regards to York Street, I didn't have the opportunity to talk with Doug today. I will hopefully get to chat with him tomorrow morning and let him know of my change of plans. Then it will just be a transition time.

With my move to my new job I finally need to apply for an IRD number (or NZ's equivalent of a Social Security Number). It is done through the post and takes 8-10 days. Have to work on that tomorrow.

That's really about it..... nothing else too exciting. Tomorrow I'm going to the gym in the morning and then work starting at 3. A few errands to run (butcher, fruit shop, post office) and that's it. I'll keep you in the loop if anything real great comes up, otherwise don't expect too much over the weekend as I'm just going to be working and sleeping.

Best!

"No Scrubs" x 2

Update on the old school music fad here: I've heard "no scrubs" two times again today. Crazy right? I mean it's cool to hear old school music but they're really hung up on this one song! Anyways, that's all. More to follow shortly.

Best! 

I got the Job at Hipgroup!

I went in for my meet & greet with Natasha, the GM at one of the Hipgroup's Ortolana restaurant and she offered me the job at their new restaurant in Parnell! I did a trial shift over the lunch rush today which went well and so I am going to start full time as soon as I'm done at my current job. Which is now priority #1, tell my current boss that I will no longer be working there. I always hate doing this - you never know how people will react. I'm a bit worried that he might just write me off the schedule completely. Which I guess wouldn't be the end of the world at Hipgroup is willing to put me on full time ASAP, but I wouldn't mind at least finishing out this week at York Street and then moving to Hipgroup full time next week. That'd give me one week to get the flow of things at one of their current locations before moving to the new location for the opening week.

Also for yesterday, I had Brooke, the receptionist/trainer at my gym, write me a new exercise routine using the TRX. It's way more fun than just normal exercise and much more challenging as well. I'm somewhat sore today which is good - always what you want after working out. I can't wait to get back to the gym tomorrow and try again!

I'm working tonight at York Street. It's Thursday, pay day, which I love. And I'm not starting until 5 pm so it should be a relatively short shift, maybe 6 hours? Not bad. Anyways, that's all for right now. Working the rest of the weekend. I'll let you know how everything goes with telling my boss I'm leaving tonight.

Best!

Phoebe is gone :(

Phoebe left today for Dunedin. It was a sad day here. I'm going to miss having a friend around. But now that hanging out at home won't be so enjoyable maybe I will stop watching so much Kardashians and Teen Mom!

In more exciting news, I got to call into my book club meeting today. So nice to talk to all my friends back in the states! It's really weird that everyone is living their lives back in MN and I'm here living my life in Auckland. I mean obviously everyone is still there but it's so easy to forget it all exists when you're not in the middle of it anymore.

I had dinner with my NZ family tonight. I talked with them about my job troubled and how I'm applying for a few new jobs. All seems well there.

I feel like I had more to talk about from today but maybe I don't....

Oh yes, an interesting little observation about music here in NZ: they are really into old school rap/hip-hop. Do you guys remember the song "No Scrubs" by TLC? If not, click here for a listen. Anyways, this song came out in the US 1999. I doubt it's been played on any radio station in the US for 10 years and I've heard it at least 3 times in the last week on the radio here. One of the stations, 88.6 FM, has this program called the "Hot 500". Sounds like it must be the500 hottest songs in NZ, right? Well it's mostly hip-hop songs from the late 90's early 2000's, lots of Nelly, TLC, Ludacris, etc... I'm not sure if it just takes that long for music to get down here or what but I'm just floored that "No Scrubs" could still possibly be one of the hottest 500 songs in NZ.

Either way, it is nice to hear so much old school music since I know all the lyrics and can sing along. Brings back lots of memories from my younger years. How sweet.

Anyways, that's all for today. Tomorrow I've got interview #2 with the Hipgroup followed by rock climbing in the evening. Sounds like fun, right?

Best!

Good News!

So I went in today for my job meet and greet with Hipgroup for the new restaurant they are opening and all went well! I talked with the manager for about 15 minutes and he's invited me back for a second interview on Wednesday with the General Manager and then if that goes well, a trial shift to see if we both like each other. Yay!

I had also put an application in for a cafe/restaurant in a smaller neighborhood near my home and I've got a meet and greet with them on Friday lunch time. I think that between these two I can secure a new job. And both places have said that I can have 40+ hours/week which is what I'm looking for now. They both want a 6 month commitment so looks like I'll be staying around Auckland a bit longer. Maybe a week long trip to Queenstown in there somewhere instead of a winter? And then a nice two month tour of NZ at the end of my visa in the spring? Who knows. One day at a time, see what the world brings me, and make my decisions that way!

Tonight I went to see Dallas Buyers Club with Tom. We went to this great theater in Balmoral. It was really fancy - they had fancy decor, fancy snacks, fancy drinks, and fancy seats. Great place! Good movie too. Very interesting story. Matthew McConaughey was looking pretty sickly though. I mean I remember seeing photos of him all skinny like that but man he looked really rough in that film. After the movie we went for dumplings at a Chinese place, apparently with the best dumplings in the city. They were quite good!

Tomorrow Phoebe is leaving - sad! I am going to do the gym, figure out what I'm wearing to interview number 2 since I don't have very many clothes with me here in NZ, clean the house since I haven't done that since Kate went to Australia last week, and then maybe do some more research for my job interview. Anyways, that's all for today. Please keep your fingers crossed for me and my job interviews.

Best!