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StevieD
20th June 2007, 07:23 PM
Yay, I've made it this far :cheers Loving Cambridge, really nice community feel to it, small town where everyone knows everyone else. We have got a good circle of friends developing too, both Kiwi's and expats, which is good.
The area is really nice, from lakes to rivers to stunning bush. Easy reach of the coasts on both sides. Yes, you could say we like it here. The kids have really settled in the local school and are both joining in activities and are in the school teams for netball/basketball. They have a wide circle of friends and it is the norm for us to be without them/have extra bodies over the weekends.

As for us? Jan is in the PTFA at the school, I am playing guitar (and still possibly drums!) in the school show in a few weeks time:we are mega busy with all the running round and things we have to do.
Went to agricultural field days last weekend in Mystery Creek down the road, interesting stuff. Been to dinner parties, spa drinkies, nights out, had guests over, yes things are busy.

Winter is here, been very cold in the rental, but no more than we expected. Yesterday was beautiful sunshine but the temperature plummeted overnight. Today, cold to begin with and it is now 15 degrees outside! Cloud cover certainly helps to bump the temperature up in winter here.

Things have developed over the last couple of weeks. I have started work for a fire alarm company, doing emergency lighting and stuff like that. Not my forte but it is easy enough work, NZ work experience, and it allows me to network a bit looking for that opening that will really do for me job wise. Was pipped at the post for a really good job in Auckland, bucket load of money, but just couldn't help thinking that Auckland would be a backward step for us. OK, the money would have been good, but what about the extra expenses involved, the traffic etc. Commuting would have involved a 3 hour round trip on top of the working day, 45 dollars fuel per day, and probably end up with me pushing up daisies in a years time through exhaustion!! :laugh I am not excluded from the company though because the project manager has told me to apply in 6 months time. Decisions on that one I think.....

So, been a bit quiet on the forum of late, have had the chance to have the odd look in, but been so busy/tired/wrapped up in the warm watching tv etc in the evening. But, feeling good, healthy with the fruit and veg and juices.

So, I have 3 green blobs, happy days. 2500 posts with this one, and 3 months under our belts. The way things are going it is going to be a lot longer here for us.

Steve, Jan, K & L

Carol
20th June 2007, 07:32 PM
Good to hear you are all happy and more importantly - content Steve.

And congrats on your new blob.
lol:clap

Belmont Babes
20th June 2007, 07:32 PM
Steve what a great post. We are still trying for Waikato region but never hear anything back from employers in that area. So glad you are so happy in NZ.

Lupin
20th June 2007, 07:35 PM
Sounds great Steve :)

lockstock
20th June 2007, 07:39 PM
Heartiest congratulations on the blob front and thanks for the update on life in the Waikato. Can't wait to get there.

thezorbster
20th June 2007, 07:45 PM
What a lovely update Steve, you guys really seem to be settling well. Great you've got some work now even if it's not what you really want long term but it will keep you occupied until something better comes along so well done.

Most importantly - congrats on the blob - what an achievement!:clap

Sam B
20th June 2007, 07:57 PM
Glad to hear everything's still hunky-dory Steve, you sound so happy!

We have just moved into our new house, so pretty happy too.

speckythecky
20th June 2007, 08:05 PM
Excellent post mate,

Hope to be joining you soon.
:raebanana

Helsandfamily
20th June 2007, 08:12 PM
Life sounds great :cheers

Hels

Kim39
20th June 2007, 09:06 PM
Steve what a great post. We are still trying for Waikato region but never hear anything back from employers in that area. So glad you are so happy in NZ.


Your hubbys CV is in with Ward Chandler. Will speak with my mate tomorrow night and see if anything was said, but in the meantime get on the blower and have a chat with Keith himself. Basically become a pain in the proverbial and see where that gets you cos NZ employers are very slow in coming forward with offers.

So Stevie, 2500 eh, still some way to go to catch Jan up i'm sure:yes Still glad things are working for you now, and as you say Cambridge ain't a bad place to be. As for the cold, jeeze mate if i needed to have a tinkle through the night 2 nights ago i would have willingly piddled the bed as there wasn't any chance of me getting out of the sack.:yes

Will catch up with you guys soon, and you have mail again.


Kim

StevieD
20th June 2007, 09:25 PM
Thanks Kim - mail again! What's going on :roll Probably junk, but we not in any hurry, they'll have to wait LOL.

Congrats to you Sam on the house, same area as Cardy eh :nice1

Talking of the Cardy feller all you Cambridge/Hamilton/Te Awamutu crowd, have you seen his profile in the ad paper for the new Mitre 10? I have to bring some issues up with him over that write up :laugh

Thanks for your comments everyone, for those of u still in UK, if you thinking of coming out this way then drop us a pm, you never know what we can find out about work etc.

TTFN

Steve

zardell
20th June 2007, 09:35 PM
Great post PB1.......glad you have settled and found your little piece of NZ.

I bow to the greatness of your 3 blobdem.....

Julie and PB2

xx

BaldyBeardyBloke
20th June 2007, 10:10 PM
Good stuff Stevie, must be good to find yourself occupied work-wise after such a frustrating wait. I am, of course, still at the frustration stage myself although in the last few days several new opportunities seem to be showing themsleves so the glimmer of hope burns a little more brightly at the moment.

Lots of interesting possibilities for Paula on the go as well, so plenty to keep us from getting too depressed about the work situation just yet.

Great to hear you are all still fighting fit and loving the Waikato. We wish you all well, green blobs and all.

sizzlingbadger
21st June 2007, 07:19 AM
Great to hear you're all settled in and congratulations on the job front, it's surprising how frustrated and up in the air things are until you start work.
:cheers

The Hodges
21st June 2007, 07:57 AM
Well congrats all round then, blobs 'n' all. :nice1

We look forward to seeing your neck of the woods, perhaps when its a bit warmer, and you can show us the sights and sounds of the locals... ;)

Andy-Dee
21st June 2007, 08:06 AM
AAAhhhh Mr Blobby..... good luck to you and pleased everything is worked out.

pinkpiggy
21st June 2007, 08:40 AM
3 blobs eh? woohoo! :roll

We got the Mitre 10 Magazine for the new store yesterday - all the staff descriptions leave a lot to be desired! Great photo of Cardy though :nice1

StevieD
21st June 2007, 09:43 AM
:laugh - Cardy looks cool doesn't he - I'm waiting to hear from him on this, but as he was shopping in the Countdown at almost 9pm last week when we met him, maybe he is a tad busy for the forum :laugh

I looking after sick child - poor Louisa is having a fine old time, very high temperature, the odd projectile thing and just generally washed out feeling - so bit of time to catch up on forum matters. :raebanana

pinkpiggy
21st June 2007, 02:49 PM
Poor thing... :( hope she's feeling better soon.

Dylan has gone to school today but was complaining of a sore tummy. Not sure if he was feeling a bit fed up and sorry for himself as his 3 closest friends were not at school yesterday.

StevieD
21st June 2007, 08:12 PM
Yeah, even the teachers are coming down with it now... keep away from that place LOL

marcia
21st June 2007, 08:29 PM
Great update Stevie.

Glad to hear you've managed to get a job, at least its paying the bills, even if it isn't the perfect one and as you said giving you some NZ experience too.

Can totally agree with you on the 'cold' issue, I was longing for my centrally heated home yesterday, (having it picked up and brought here - not going back to it in the UK!!) even had to use a bucket of water to clear the frozen windscreen before school run - has anyone seen de-icer here in NZ - I was looked at like it was foreign language when I asked someone about it??!!

Big hugs to Jan and the kids - would love to see some photos of the show when they do it!

katandbob
22nd June 2007, 07:26 PM
So, been a bit quiet on the forum of late, have had the chance to have the odd look in, but been so busy/tired/wrapped up in the warm watching tv etc in the evening. But, feeling good, healthy with the fruit and veg and juices.

So, I have 3 green blobs, happy days. 2500 posts with this one, and 3 months under our belts. The way things are going it is going to be a lot longer here for us.

Steve, Jan, K & L

:raebanana :nice1 Steve, glad your having a good time!

Kat

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