TonnyTessa
8th January 2009, 02:25 PM
As there have been so many other post about having arrived, I thought I'd add another one (they are my favourite type of post)!
I arrived in Christchurch on Saturday and was greeted by the largest hail storm for centuries (or so I was told, was certainly the largest one I have ever seen in Chch;)). Managed to stay awake all day by unpacking, organising a metro card and going bicycle shopping (decided to forego the car and be healthy. Found the bike I want, still need to find the money). Total collapse occured at 9.
Sunday was filled with very interesting things I assume, except I can't remember what they were..... Oh, nope I remember now, found the local shops and read my book in the garden, very pleasant after leaving the deep freezer called 'the Netherlands' (-20 last night!!!). Total collapse occured at 9:30.
Monday was the big day, starting work. Scary and exciting at the same time. Most of it was spend meeting people, walking around campus and filling in forms. It looks good so far, can't wait to get some real work done. Managed to apply for my IRD number (if you pay $10, you get it next day btw). Collapse happened at 10:30, finally getting somewhere.
Tuesday consisted of more forms and then some more.... But at the end of it I did have a bank account, tax code and what not. The bank even seemed to think that I am not too much of a liability and is willing to give me money for a house (yay!). Still meeting new people, how on earth am I going to remember the names when everyone returns from their summer holiday? Finished doing the collapsing at the end of the day :)
Wednesday I managed to get some real work done, absolutely brilliant. My colleagues so far have been really nice and I even managed to get from home to work without getting lost. Found out however, that my things haven't left the UK yet, even though everything was packed well over a month ago. Expected arrival date mid march :( Guess it gives me more time to find a nice place to live.
That's it so far. Still need to fill in more forms, find a proper place to live, buy the bike I want and things like that, but not a bad start I thought. Tomorrow my little evil one (aka Tzeva the cat) is arriving, can't wait. I have been invited to three colleagues' houses for dinner/lunch/evening drinks, so looks like I am going to be busy for a bit :)
I arrived in Christchurch on Saturday and was greeted by the largest hail storm for centuries (or so I was told, was certainly the largest one I have ever seen in Chch;)). Managed to stay awake all day by unpacking, organising a metro card and going bicycle shopping (decided to forego the car and be healthy. Found the bike I want, still need to find the money). Total collapse occured at 9.
Sunday was filled with very interesting things I assume, except I can't remember what they were..... Oh, nope I remember now, found the local shops and read my book in the garden, very pleasant after leaving the deep freezer called 'the Netherlands' (-20 last night!!!). Total collapse occured at 9:30.
Monday was the big day, starting work. Scary and exciting at the same time. Most of it was spend meeting people, walking around campus and filling in forms. It looks good so far, can't wait to get some real work done. Managed to apply for my IRD number (if you pay $10, you get it next day btw). Collapse happened at 10:30, finally getting somewhere.
Tuesday consisted of more forms and then some more.... But at the end of it I did have a bank account, tax code and what not. The bank even seemed to think that I am not too much of a liability and is willing to give me money for a house (yay!). Still meeting new people, how on earth am I going to remember the names when everyone returns from their summer holiday? Finished doing the collapsing at the end of the day :)
Wednesday I managed to get some real work done, absolutely brilliant. My colleagues so far have been really nice and I even managed to get from home to work without getting lost. Found out however, that my things haven't left the UK yet, even though everything was packed well over a month ago. Expected arrival date mid march :( Guess it gives me more time to find a nice place to live.
That's it so far. Still need to fill in more forms, find a proper place to live, buy the bike I want and things like that, but not a bad start I thought. Tomorrow my little evil one (aka Tzeva the cat) is arriving, can't wait. I have been invited to three colleagues' houses for dinner/lunch/evening drinks, so looks like I am going to be busy for a bit :)