Ok, I need some suggestions from anyone that knows NZ shopping. I need a black jacket (think blazer) and white collared shirts for an upcoming work function--by November. The shirts should be wrinkle-free and easy to care for, and free of too much decoration, and def. not too see-through! They should also be less than ~$50 each. Any ideas where to go??
I've checked the Warehouse for cheapie shirts, but no avail. I also want to check the Salvation Army store around here. Are there any other thrift shops to check?
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
It's a Better Day
So I ended up miraculously getting a 'decision successful' on my EOI (Expression of Interest, the first step in applying for New Zealand residency), after all! The next step is to receive my 'Invitation to Apply' for NZ residency--that should be coming by courier soon.
They weren't going to count my job offer, which meant that I may not have enough points to qualify, and even if I did have enough, I would have to undergo an interview during the application process. Not a big deal, but one more thing that could go wrong, you know?
It hasn't been confirmed, but I think I've provided enough info to count it now. To count my job offer, the work has to be 40 hours a week (check), the contract has to specify that the work is for 12 months with an option to continue (check, but my offer letter specifically says, 'dependent upon funding'), AND it has to include "all the mandatory employment conditions such as leave, redundancy, disciplinary procedures, etc."
What I initially sent my case officer was just my offer letter, which doesn't list out the third and last requirement--that was in a separate document. Since I didn't know she needed that, I didn't send it to her. Argh.
Anyway, now that that $400 portion is over, I can start the really expensive and hard process--actually applying for PR! One step closer...with the way that the banks are failing in the U.S., well, it feels good that I may have a backup (or a Plan A?) plan in place.
Tomorrow I actually have plans! with people! in NZ! This is a first. Unfortunately, they are people BF and I work with, and we're just tagging along on a field trip, but it will be good to see another part of Auckland--the beach! I'm excited.
Also, things at work are really shaping up--I'm using my background to consult on a project. If you remember, I left my last consulting job because I hated it. I was not sure if I wanted to go back into it at my new company, but in this case, I think I will like it.
At my new company, I will be representing the landowner, the people who were wronged, instead of the company that spoiled the land in the first place. I will get to actually clean up the land as much as possible, which was my initial intention going into consultancy anyway. This didn't happen at my last job because money was the goal--for the client and for my company. In this project, actually cleaning up the Maori land (restoring the 'mauri' or spirit) for the Maori people is the goal. It sounds like it will be vastly more rewarding! I kind of can't wait to help out and lend my expertise as much as possible. It feels really good that all of my hard work and training at my miserable last job isn't going to waste.
When my supervisor heard of this new project, she was happy because she wanted to get me away from the 'Admin' stuff at my company, anyway. If you recall, half of my job is science, and the other half is supposed to be as a 'receptionist.' (The science project didn't have enough funding to hire me full-time, so the company picked up the tab for the rest of my salary.) Anyway, I'm happy that my supervisor wants me to move up and actually use my brain a bit...is it weird if I say that I love her?? Seriously, she asked me to water her plant the other day when she was out and I leapt at the chance to help her! I am her bi-atch, totally and completely.
They weren't going to count my job offer, which meant that I may not have enough points to qualify, and even if I did have enough, I would have to undergo an interview during the application process. Not a big deal, but one more thing that could go wrong, you know?
It hasn't been confirmed, but I think I've provided enough info to count it now. To count my job offer, the work has to be 40 hours a week (check), the contract has to specify that the work is for 12 months with an option to continue (check, but my offer letter specifically says, 'dependent upon funding'), AND it has to include "all the mandatory employment conditions such as leave, redundancy, disciplinary procedures, etc."
What I initially sent my case officer was just my offer letter, which doesn't list out the third and last requirement--that was in a separate document. Since I didn't know she needed that, I didn't send it to her. Argh.
Anyway, now that that $400 portion is over, I can start the really expensive and hard process--actually applying for PR! One step closer...with the way that the banks are failing in the U.S., well, it feels good that I may have a backup (or a Plan A?) plan in place.
Tomorrow I actually have plans! with people! in NZ! This is a first. Unfortunately, they are people BF and I work with, and we're just tagging along on a field trip, but it will be good to see another part of Auckland--the beach! I'm excited.
Also, things at work are really shaping up--I'm using my background to consult on a project. If you remember, I left my last consulting job because I hated it. I was not sure if I wanted to go back into it at my new company, but in this case, I think I will like it.
At my new company, I will be representing the landowner, the people who were wronged, instead of the company that spoiled the land in the first place. I will get to actually clean up the land as much as possible, which was my initial intention going into consultancy anyway. This didn't happen at my last job because money was the goal--for the client and for my company. In this project, actually cleaning up the Maori land (restoring the 'mauri' or spirit) for the Maori people is the goal. It sounds like it will be vastly more rewarding! I kind of can't wait to help out and lend my expertise as much as possible. It feels really good that all of my hard work and training at my miserable last job isn't going to waste.
When my supervisor heard of this new project, she was happy because she wanted to get me away from the 'Admin' stuff at my company, anyway. If you recall, half of my job is science, and the other half is supposed to be as a 'receptionist.' (The science project didn't have enough funding to hire me full-time, so the company picked up the tab for the rest of my salary.) Anyway, I'm happy that my supervisor wants me to move up and actually use my brain a bit...is it weird if I say that I love her?? Seriously, she asked me to water her plant the other day when she was out and I leapt at the chance to help her! I am her bi-atch, totally and completely.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Back to Square One
So my test results don't explain why I'm tired exactly. I'm still borderline hypothyroid (4.0 out of a normal range of 0.4-4.0)--they don't treat this, I need to go back in 12 weeks. My iron levels are normal, but slightly lower than average, so the doc still gave me some iron pills to take.
Um, ok. none of this helps explain why I'm so insanely tired all the time and why it started after getting mono 5 years ago. More and more my symptoms lead me to think I need to get tested for chronic fatigue or chronic epstein barr virus. My cytomegalovirus antibody levels are over 100 units/ml when normal is 0-14--this virus causes mono, and the antibodies stay in your blood forever after infection, but aren't normally as high as mine. That seems awfully suspicious, but the doc doesn't take it seriously and is not following up on it.
Also, immigration decided that my job doesn't count as real because of how my contract is written (funny how it feels real for 10 hours a day), and so I don't qualify to apply for PR.
Sad day. I feel disheartened, but I'm doggedly determined to resolve both of these issues--I need to go back to a different doctor, until one of them tests me or diagnosis me with something that explains my symptoms. I'm also going to talk to my bosses to see if they are willing to change my contract wording.
Um, ok. none of this helps explain why I'm so insanely tired all the time and why it started after getting mono 5 years ago. More and more my symptoms lead me to think I need to get tested for chronic fatigue or chronic epstein barr virus. My cytomegalovirus antibody levels are over 100 units/ml when normal is 0-14--this virus causes mono, and the antibodies stay in your blood forever after infection, but aren't normally as high as mine. That seems awfully suspicious, but the doc doesn't take it seriously and is not following up on it.
Also, immigration decided that my job doesn't count as real because of how my contract is written (funny how it feels real for 10 hours a day), and so I don't qualify to apply for PR.
Sad day. I feel disheartened, but I'm doggedly determined to resolve both of these issues--I need to go back to a different doctor, until one of them tests me or diagnosis me with something that explains my symptoms. I'm also going to talk to my bosses to see if they are willing to change my contract wording.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Cooking Update
No sign of my test results for the blood drawn last tuesday to determine whether I'm just crazy and lazy, or if something really is wrong with me. Results should be in by Monday (tomorrow).
Anyway, this week has been very different from most, in that I got sick and tired of cooking one meal over the weekend and making it last through the week--ie, eating the same thing every day. For the past two months, I've been chopping up veggies and chicken, making a sauce, cooking a pound of pasta, and then just eating on that for the next five days or so. BF long ago decided he didn't want to go the same route, so I stopped cooking for him. But this past week I made all of the food, and when I sat down to eat it, I found I just...couldn't. My body was repulsed with the lack of options and the same taste over and over again. So, what is a girl to do? BF was more than happy to indulge and eat takeout or go to a restaurant every other night (I still ate leftovers from the day before the second day). I'm still not sure what to do about it--it doesn't help that we don't have a freezer or oven, so freezing a bunch of meals isn't an option, and we have a dorm fridge only, so there's limited storage space. One meal a week is about all we can fit in the fridge, and that's with packing it tight.
I went to the grocery store yesterday and bought some more, varied meal options: steak strips and bell peppers for stir fry, a whole cooked chicken, lots of veggies. Just something different from pasta...ugh. Does anyone have any other suggestions for cheap, yummy food?
$103.40 groceries
So today I guess I will have to actually cook the food, my least favorite part. I swear, sometimes I think if getting fed intravenously was an option, I'd go for it. What to eat, how to eat it and cook it, how to make it healthy, and when to eat all seem to be an annoying timesuck for me!
Anyway, this week has been very different from most, in that I got sick and tired of cooking one meal over the weekend and making it last through the week--ie, eating the same thing every day. For the past two months, I've been chopping up veggies and chicken, making a sauce, cooking a pound of pasta, and then just eating on that for the next five days or so. BF long ago decided he didn't want to go the same route, so I stopped cooking for him. But this past week I made all of the food, and when I sat down to eat it, I found I just...couldn't. My body was repulsed with the lack of options and the same taste over and over again. So, what is a girl to do? BF was more than happy to indulge and eat takeout or go to a restaurant every other night (I still ate leftovers from the day before the second day). I'm still not sure what to do about it--it doesn't help that we don't have a freezer or oven, so freezing a bunch of meals isn't an option, and we have a dorm fridge only, so there's limited storage space. One meal a week is about all we can fit in the fridge, and that's with packing it tight.
I went to the grocery store yesterday and bought some more, varied meal options: steak strips and bell peppers for stir fry, a whole cooked chicken, lots of veggies. Just something different from pasta...ugh. Does anyone have any other suggestions for cheap, yummy food?
$103.40 groceries
So today I guess I will have to actually cook the food, my least favorite part. I swear, sometimes I think if getting fed intravenously was an option, I'd go for it. What to eat, how to eat it and cook it, how to make it healthy, and when to eat all seem to be an annoying timesuck for me!
Readers Recommend: Wii Games!
Ok, people, time to comment. All of you with Wii experience, please make some game suggestions!
Here's the story--My mom is trying to lose weight, and she's been using the same tired old video for the past few months. Tres boring, after a while, I'm thinking. So, I decided to get her a Wii Fit for Christmas. Only, we (wii, haha) don't HAVE a wii yet.
So I asked my mom to split the cost of a Wii game system for the family for Christmas. She thought that was a fantastic idea, and today she excitedly informed me that she had indeed found one recently, after a month of searching (I can't really look 'cause I'm out of the country...and I have a feeling there's going to be an increasing frenzy as we near Dec. 25). So, Mom gets a Wii Fit game and possibly some sort of brain teaser puzzle game...but what does everyone else get?
Here's some background:
My dad was an avid hunter and fisher before he got sick. Now, he can barely leave the house, and has trouble breathing or moving around too much. He's not computer-literate at all, and is def. not a gamer-type. I want something easy for him to understand, and maybe something related to outdoor redneck sports he can no longer partake in.
My sister is overweight, but isn't physically disabled like my dad, so anything moving around and fun would be great! for her. Maybe a DDR game? She also likes dungeons and dragons, and those kind of role playing games...she wants to be Wiccan as well (not sure how that ties into Wii but i thought i'd throw that out there just in case).
And, well, for ME, in addition to any of the above games, I'd like an adventure type game like Kingdom Hearts or Jack and Daxter...
So, shoot, what should I get?
Here's the story--My mom is trying to lose weight, and she's been using the same tired old video for the past few months. Tres boring, after a while, I'm thinking. So, I decided to get her a Wii Fit for Christmas. Only, we (wii, haha) don't HAVE a wii yet.
So I asked my mom to split the cost of a Wii game system for the family for Christmas. She thought that was a fantastic idea, and today she excitedly informed me that she had indeed found one recently, after a month of searching (I can't really look 'cause I'm out of the country...and I have a feeling there's going to be an increasing frenzy as we near Dec. 25). So, Mom gets a Wii Fit game and possibly some sort of brain teaser puzzle game...but what does everyone else get?
Here's some background:
My dad was an avid hunter and fisher before he got sick. Now, he can barely leave the house, and has trouble breathing or moving around too much. He's not computer-literate at all, and is def. not a gamer-type. I want something easy for him to understand, and maybe something related to outdoor redneck sports he can no longer partake in.
My sister is overweight, but isn't physically disabled like my dad, so anything moving around and fun would be great! for her. Maybe a DDR game? She also likes dungeons and dragons, and those kind of role playing games...she wants to be Wiccan as well (not sure how that ties into Wii but i thought i'd throw that out there just in case).
And, well, for ME, in addition to any of the above games, I'd like an adventure type game like Kingdom Hearts or Jack and Daxter...
So, shoot, what should I get?
Thursday, September 18, 2008
I Have Faith
I have faith that the economy will get better. Not in the near future, of course, but in the next 30 years? Definitely. I'm not even sure why I'm so confident about it, except that it always has gotten better in the past. All my money is in index funds...
Anyway, this new gov't bailout of AIG...is it really helping or is it just delaying the inevitable? I'm not well-versed enough in economics to take a guess at what 'delaying the inevitable' means, but it's what all the pessimist (or realist, however you're looking at it) economists are saying. What do you think?
A part of me (a sick, sad, twisted part of me, I fully acknowledge this) would like to see exactly how bad it could get without government help. I think it's part of my 'devil that I know' attitude. If I know how bad it can get, and can plan for it, I will be prepared for anything. Muahahah.
In the meantime, I'm saving up my NZD for a Wii and Wii Fit for my Mom and family for Christmas. Yay!
Anyway, this new gov't bailout of AIG...is it really helping or is it just delaying the inevitable? I'm not well-versed enough in economics to take a guess at what 'delaying the inevitable' means, but it's what all the pessimist (or realist, however you're looking at it) economists are saying. What do you think?
A part of me (a sick, sad, twisted part of me, I fully acknowledge this) would like to see exactly how bad it could get without government help. I think it's part of my 'devil that I know' attitude. If I know how bad it can get, and can plan for it, I will be prepared for anything. Muahahah.
In the meantime, I'm saving up my NZD for a Wii and Wii Fit for my Mom and family for Christmas. Yay!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Whoa Meltdown
The Americans in my office are a-buzz with the downfall of the Lehman Bros. and all the other rumors going around in the financial world. It's impacting the NZ financials, as well--the thing about being a superpower is, when you have troubles, everyone is worried. I guess it's like when you were little and looked up to your Mom--if she was crying or majorly upset, you knew something was terribly, terribly wrong. and you felt it, too.
Ok, maybe that's a horrible analogy. But this kind of thing is what we all sort of felt was coming--a major disaster has been looming for a while. The gov't has, so far, jumped in and saved us not once, but twice in the past year. That's just crazy. To continue with the parent analogy, their behavior is similar to parents who just can't stop giving their kids money, keeping them from learning on their own. It has to stop. Let it shake down! Let the effects of our past actions be felt and known! My feeling is, that is the only way it. will. end.
The state of America right now...for shame. My head hangs and all I can do is shake my head in despair when a Kiwi asks me how I feel about everything going on. So much of what is going on directly conflicts with my personal beliefs. I feel for everyone still over there, but I am relieved that I'm not there, honestly.
On a different note, after the election, I hope the US starts looking towards more socialist countries like NZ as a model. I talked to a Kiwi co-worker today that was completely flabbergasted when I told him about 401(k)'s (the gov't gives them each $1K to start their kiwisaver), student loans and interest (their student loans are interest free for life), how the healthcare system works ("but what do you do when you get sick??" he asked), and how someone can walk into your house, trip over something, and sue you. It's all so interesting to realize the various perspectives!
The hardest part was explaining the healthcare system, and how you can't just pay $40 for a broken leg and receive all the care and checkups you need ($40 is crazy cheap!). In the US, you probably have to get a ride in an ambulance if you break your leg, and get charged maybe $300, which your insurance may or may not cover. If you have a deductible, you most likely have to pay that out first. It is tied with your employer in most cases. All of these things were just mind-blowing and he asked the same questions a couple of times out of disbelief. I don't blame him.
On this note, my Expression of Interest (the first step to become a Permanent Resident of NZ) was selected. That means that they'll check my EoI and make sure I'm telling the truth and have enough points to apply for PR, and then they will send me an Invitation to Apply (ITA). You'll be seeing these acronyms alot in the future here at StD... :)
Ok, maybe that's a horrible analogy. But this kind of thing is what we all sort of felt was coming--a major disaster has been looming for a while. The gov't has, so far, jumped in and saved us not once, but twice in the past year. That's just crazy. To continue with the parent analogy, their behavior is similar to parents who just can't stop giving their kids money, keeping them from learning on their own. It has to stop. Let it shake down! Let the effects of our past actions be felt and known! My feeling is, that is the only way it. will. end.
The state of America right now...for shame. My head hangs and all I can do is shake my head in despair when a Kiwi asks me how I feel about everything going on. So much of what is going on directly conflicts with my personal beliefs. I feel for everyone still over there, but I am relieved that I'm not there, honestly.
On a different note, after the election, I hope the US starts looking towards more socialist countries like NZ as a model. I talked to a Kiwi co-worker today that was completely flabbergasted when I told him about 401(k)'s (the gov't gives them each $1K to start their kiwisaver), student loans and interest (their student loans are interest free for life), how the healthcare system works ("but what do you do when you get sick??" he asked), and how someone can walk into your house, trip over something, and sue you. It's all so interesting to realize the various perspectives!
The hardest part was explaining the healthcare system, and how you can't just pay $40 for a broken leg and receive all the care and checkups you need ($40 is crazy cheap!). In the US, you probably have to get a ride in an ambulance if you break your leg, and get charged maybe $300, which your insurance may or may not cover. If you have a deductible, you most likely have to pay that out first. It is tied with your employer in most cases. All of these things were just mind-blowing and he asked the same questions a couple of times out of disbelief. I don't blame him.
On this note, my Expression of Interest (the first step to become a Permanent Resident of NZ) was selected. That means that they'll check my EoI and make sure I'm telling the truth and have enough points to apply for PR, and then they will send me an Invitation to Apply (ITA). You'll be seeing these acronyms alot in the future here at StD... :)
Monday, September 15, 2008
The Best Interest Rate Ever
I forgot to mention that I opened up an 'online call' savings account at Kiwibank last week. If you have more than $2000 in the account (which I do thanks to back-pay for August), the interest rate is 8.1% p.a., which includes a 0.5% monthly bonus if you don't withdraw any money from the account during the month. As that is insanely better than my stock portfolio has done in the past year, I think that's pretty rockin'.
Yeah, it's ok to be jealous of me. :)
Yeah, it's ok to be jealous of me. :)
Sorry
for the lack of posting. I'm feeling neglected and tired, and I guess my blog is getting the brunt of it. Over the weekend, BF and I visited a little town across the harbor by ferry, and we did alot of walking around. As soon as I sat down for lunch I got incredibly dizzy and came really close to passing out--I was definitely fighting to stay conscious, which is very scary. It was definitely not blood-sugar related, as I had eaten breakfast and I know what a dip in my blood sugar feels like by this point in my life. The dizziness passed after a little while, and I felt better after climbing and exploring one of the local volcanic hills.
Luckily, I had made a doctor's appointment for today last week, in order to try and fix whatever my problem is. She was great, and ordered a whole bunch of blood tests, after confirming that I wasn't pregnant...twice. Yeah, as if that was a possibility, after the way my relationship has been going... :/
I don't know how confident I am that they will find anything notable. I mean, I half hope that they don't, and on the other hand, I want to know the reason why I've been so tired and achy and moody for the last couple of years (I have gone to the doctor about this before, but they all said it was in my head...I figured since it's getting worse, it's time to go back!).
It all lines up with hypothyroidism, which I (barely) tested positive for last May, but the doc here said that they don't even prescribe medicine until a certain hormone goes above/below a certain threshold. So they are doing one test for thyroid, alot more to test some vitamin levels, anemia, kidney/liver functions, and a whole host of other possibilities--12 tests altogether. I also specially asked to test my EBV/CBV levels (these are the viruses that cause mono, and I haven't really felt 'right' since I had mono 4 years ago...).
All of those tests are going to cost $187--and the clinic people said that I just need to grab a claim form and my insurance should cover it. In contrast, I'm STILL paying for the blood tests I had done back in May for my Immigration physical. Insane--it's cost me over $500 now. and that was also with insurance. The ladies that calculated up my total for the tests today laughed when I asked how likely the student insurance was to pay for the whole thing--they said it was unheard of for insurance to NOT pay for the whole amount. Was this statement weird for an American to hear? Definitely.
My visit with the doctor today was ...wait for it... FREE! Mostly due to my partnership status with a student, but a little bit because I'm in the glorious land of New Zealand, where they actually want to help people without bankrupting them. I can't tell you how much of a relief it is to not really have to worry about costs. I can just...get better!
Luckily, I had made a doctor's appointment for today last week, in order to try and fix whatever my problem is. She was great, and ordered a whole bunch of blood tests, after confirming that I wasn't pregnant...twice. Yeah, as if that was a possibility, after the way my relationship has been going... :/
I don't know how confident I am that they will find anything notable. I mean, I half hope that they don't, and on the other hand, I want to know the reason why I've been so tired and achy and moody for the last couple of years (I have gone to the doctor about this before, but they all said it was in my head...I figured since it's getting worse, it's time to go back!).
It all lines up with hypothyroidism, which I (barely) tested positive for last May, but the doc here said that they don't even prescribe medicine until a certain hormone goes above/below a certain threshold. So they are doing one test for thyroid, alot more to test some vitamin levels, anemia, kidney/liver functions, and a whole host of other possibilities--12 tests altogether. I also specially asked to test my EBV/CBV levels (these are the viruses that cause mono, and I haven't really felt 'right' since I had mono 4 years ago...).
All of those tests are going to cost $187--and the clinic people said that I just need to grab a claim form and my insurance should cover it. In contrast, I'm STILL paying for the blood tests I had done back in May for my Immigration physical. Insane--it's cost me over $500 now. and that was also with insurance. The ladies that calculated up my total for the tests today laughed when I asked how likely the student insurance was to pay for the whole thing--they said it was unheard of for insurance to NOT pay for the whole amount. Was this statement weird for an American to hear? Definitely.
My visit with the doctor today was ...wait for it... FREE! Mostly due to my partnership status with a student, but a little bit because I'm in the glorious land of New Zealand, where they actually want to help people without bankrupting them. I can't tell you how much of a relief it is to not really have to worry about costs. I can just...get better!
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Events: A Tragedy, and an Annoyance
Hurricane Hanna came through my hometown over the weekend. I received a Facebook message this week that one of my friends from high school was involved in a car accident due to the heavy rain and excessive amount of water on the roads. He and his wife were traveling with their three kids strapped in the backseat when they hydroplaned and hit a tree...he and his wife were killed, but their three kids, all under 8 years of age, survived with minimal injuries.
Is this the most tragic thing you've ever heard of, or what? I'm still in shock. His little sister was also one of my good friends in high school (we were in colorguard together, if you know what that is), and she doesn't quite know how to deal with it, understandably. She is only 25, single, and has a daughter of her own, but may get the responsibility of taking care of the three kids. They didn't have life insurance, and she was already working two jobs to save for a house...I can't imagine--not only financially, but any other way.
It's funny (not ha ha), but most people's reaction is that it would have been less tragic if they'd all been killed instead of a situation where 3 young orphans survived. I think people like it better when all the loose ends are neatly tied up. Life hardly ever happens that way.
Another event that occurred today was a mere annoyance in comparison. I was at the grocery store (again) and my credit card was declined. three times. I KNEW I wasn't over the limit, so what gives? Then I tried my new Kiwibank EFTPOS (like debit) card, and that didn't work either. I also KNEW I had WAY more than $30 in the bank.
I logged into my account tonight, and, sure enough, there was a suspend on my account and a phone number to call. So I called Capital One, and after nearly TWO MONTHS of NZ charges, they suddenly decided that someone had absconded with my card and ran off to my NZ neighborhood to make fraudulous charges in the amounts of $5 and $12 NZD. What in the WORLD?
I warned Capital One before I moved here that there would be foreign charges, and so far, it's worked fine. I pay the bill with my US bank account, but make charges here in NZ. All of a sudden, a $4 charge trips a fraud alert? That's just crazy. I told the lady to write a note on my account saying that I was in NZ indefinitely.
When I go to the US, I'll just use my Chase card, to get the better rewards, anyway. Capital One doesn't charge a fee for foreign transactions, which is why I continue to use it here in NZ. I'd get a kiwi credit card, but most have annual fees and virtually none have rewards systems that I would use.
The Kiwibank card decline? have no idea why that occurred, except that it was the first time I've ever tried to use it so maybe my PIN or something hasn't gone through.
So...that was my day.
Spending:
$30.41 groceries
Is this the most tragic thing you've ever heard of, or what? I'm still in shock. His little sister was also one of my good friends in high school (we were in colorguard together, if you know what that is), and she doesn't quite know how to deal with it, understandably. She is only 25, single, and has a daughter of her own, but may get the responsibility of taking care of the three kids. They didn't have life insurance, and she was already working two jobs to save for a house...I can't imagine--not only financially, but any other way.
It's funny (not ha ha), but most people's reaction is that it would have been less tragic if they'd all been killed instead of a situation where 3 young orphans survived. I think people like it better when all the loose ends are neatly tied up. Life hardly ever happens that way.
Another event that occurred today was a mere annoyance in comparison. I was at the grocery store (again) and my credit card was declined. three times. I KNEW I wasn't over the limit, so what gives? Then I tried my new Kiwibank EFTPOS (like debit) card, and that didn't work either. I also KNEW I had WAY more than $30 in the bank.
I logged into my account tonight, and, sure enough, there was a suspend on my account and a phone number to call. So I called Capital One, and after nearly TWO MONTHS of NZ charges, they suddenly decided that someone had absconded with my card and ran off to my NZ neighborhood to make fraudulous charges in the amounts of $5 and $12 NZD. What in the WORLD?
I warned Capital One before I moved here that there would be foreign charges, and so far, it's worked fine. I pay the bill with my US bank account, but make charges here in NZ. All of a sudden, a $4 charge trips a fraud alert? That's just crazy. I told the lady to write a note on my account saying that I was in NZ indefinitely.
When I go to the US, I'll just use my Chase card, to get the better rewards, anyway. Capital One doesn't charge a fee for foreign transactions, which is why I continue to use it here in NZ. I'd get a kiwi credit card, but most have annual fees and virtually none have rewards systems that I would use.
The Kiwibank card decline? have no idea why that occurred, except that it was the first time I've ever tried to use it so maybe my PIN or something hasn't gone through.
So...that was my day.
Spending:
$30.41 groceries
Monday, September 08, 2008
Mission Accomplished!
At least, some of it. Our electric bill was $58 last month, and I suffered through August without the heater on at all. But it paid off, because our bill for August was $38.
It wasn't that bad, actually--i usually bundle up in a hoodie, fleece pajama pants, wool socks, and my comforter on the couch and I'm not cold at all! BF grew up in Minnesota, so he's never, ever cold.
I also feel good about saving electricity, although here most of the electricity is fueled by hydro, geothermal and wind power. I find myself naturally doing more green things, just by the nature of how things are run here. It helps that everyone at work has the same outlook on recycling and reducing waste and dependency on disposable paper and plastic products. I like it.
I was wondering today how everything will seem when I visit the US in December. ?
It wasn't that bad, actually--i usually bundle up in a hoodie, fleece pajama pants, wool socks, and my comforter on the couch and I'm not cold at all! BF grew up in Minnesota, so he's never, ever cold.
I also feel good about saving electricity, although here most of the electricity is fueled by hydro, geothermal and wind power. I find myself naturally doing more green things, just by the nature of how things are run here. It helps that everyone at work has the same outlook on recycling and reducing waste and dependency on disposable paper and plastic products. I like it.
I was wondering today how everything will seem when I visit the US in December. ?
Sunday, September 07, 2008
$$ for Friendship
Another no-spend day. that's 5/7 so far!! hurrah! I have spent a total of ~$88 so far in September, most of that on groceries.
Since I've been spending so much on groceries, BF is covering another month of rent for me, so no rent payment this month! I will, however, cover the last two months of our lease, and he will start buying his own groceries from now on. I'll still cover the utilities (electricity and internet connection) and buy household items, but that will probably be ~$160 a month. Since I'm making way more than he is, I feel ok about it, in a way that I wouldn't if I were paying for all of his groceries AND for the utilities. I think that would change if we were engaged...it would definitely change if we were married. In that case, it wouldn't be a big deal to cover more of the household costs.
A girl at work invited me to join the gym with her (2 for 1 special); it's $200 for 3 months. However, I have a (tiny) gym at my apartment building, and honestly, I don't use it that much (people are always on the sole elliptical machine and i like running or walking outdoors anyway). In addition, this new gym didn't offer classes or anything interesting. So I'm going to tell her I'm opting out. I feel like I'm turning down an invitation for friendship, but my financial instincts reject paying $200/3 months for a friend...and she's joining to use the swimming pool, so it's not like we'd ever work out together or anything, anyway.
Since I've been spending so much on groceries, BF is covering another month of rent for me, so no rent payment this month! I will, however, cover the last two months of our lease, and he will start buying his own groceries from now on. I'll still cover the utilities (electricity and internet connection) and buy household items, but that will probably be ~$160 a month. Since I'm making way more than he is, I feel ok about it, in a way that I wouldn't if I were paying for all of his groceries AND for the utilities. I think that would change if we were engaged...it would definitely change if we were married. In that case, it wouldn't be a big deal to cover more of the household costs.
A girl at work invited me to join the gym with her (2 for 1 special); it's $200 for 3 months. However, I have a (tiny) gym at my apartment building, and honestly, I don't use it that much (people are always on the sole elliptical machine and i like running or walking outdoors anyway). In addition, this new gym didn't offer classes or anything interesting. So I'm going to tell her I'm opting out. I feel like I'm turning down an invitation for friendship, but my financial instincts reject paying $200/3 months for a friend...and she's joining to use the swimming pool, so it's not like we'd ever work out together or anything, anyway.
Saturday, September 06, 2008
Going Nowhere
I feel like I'm running backwards on this finance thing. My net worth USED TO be over $25K, and now it's dipped below $20K again--it's the the economy (stupid) and my move to NZ, which, by the way, is an interesting experience but hasn't been very life-changing or made me very happy that I did it quite yet. If it weren't for my job, I'd be seriously thinking about moving back home to VA to sort out some things.
I knew that you couldn't run away from your problems, but I was hoping that my previous location WAS the problem. Everything that was wrong in SoCal is wrong here so far: lack of friends, still feel tired all the time, and most importantly, my relationship is going absolutely nowhere. So many sacrifices...and now I wouldn't be surprised if I ended up living alone in a few months when our lease was up. I was looking online last night to figure if I could swing getting a studio but I can't. and then I looked at renting a room in an apartment with roommates but it turns out that is almost as expensive. The only way to keep my budget here is to share a bedroom. And, I'm so very sorry, but I'm 30 and there's no WAY I'm sharing a room with someone that isn't my BF--I haven't done that since college and I'm not going to start now.
I did get paid Friday--with back pay. I haven't figured out what my monthly income will be exactly quite yet, since they deposited money in my account without giving me a pay slip or telling me for how many hours or what time period they were paying me for. So, one more thing to figure out...
I'm not disappointed but I am disillusioned. I'll keep on keeping on and everything will be fine. But I want my life to be MORE THAN FINE and I don't know how to get there.
spending: $65.39 groceries last night (doing better on that front, it seems)
$17.73 for misc items like laundry detergent and a flashlight ('torch' here).
$4.60 eating out today
I knew that you couldn't run away from your problems, but I was hoping that my previous location WAS the problem. Everything that was wrong in SoCal is wrong here so far: lack of friends, still feel tired all the time, and most importantly, my relationship is going absolutely nowhere. So many sacrifices...and now I wouldn't be surprised if I ended up living alone in a few months when our lease was up. I was looking online last night to figure if I could swing getting a studio but I can't. and then I looked at renting a room in an apartment with roommates but it turns out that is almost as expensive. The only way to keep my budget here is to share a bedroom. And, I'm so very sorry, but I'm 30 and there's no WAY I'm sharing a room with someone that isn't my BF--I haven't done that since college and I'm not going to start now.
I did get paid Friday--with back pay. I haven't figured out what my monthly income will be exactly quite yet, since they deposited money in my account without giving me a pay slip or telling me for how many hours or what time period they were paying me for. So, one more thing to figure out...
I'm not disappointed but I am disillusioned. I'll keep on keeping on and everything will be fine. But I want my life to be MORE THAN FINE and I don't know how to get there.
spending: $65.39 groceries last night (doing better on that front, it seems)
$17.73 for misc items like laundry detergent and a flashlight ('torch' here).
$4.60 eating out today
Monday, September 01, 2008
Locked Out
I got locked out of the apartment tonight. Again.
This is at least the fourth or fifth time I've gotten locked out or in a place in New Zealand, and I've been here less than 2 months. I am NOT a dumbarse, New Zealanders are just REALLY into security.
In my apartment complex, the heavy fire doors lock automatically, and there's no propping those suckers open. They'll sweep your feet from under you and catapult you into orbit if you don't move out of the way between them and the door jamb. I'm serious. There are special ugly gray round tabs you have to wave in front of the front door, the inside front door, the trash bin/garage door, the gym door, the computer room door, the movie room door, the door to get to the outside hallway between my building and the attached complex, and the door to get into the attached complex from the little outside hallway between my building and it, to gain entry. Also, you have to hit a touchpad or a little switch or a button to go the opposite way out of these doors...and sometimes you have to coordinate the button pushing with the door opening, otherwise, sorry, you are stuck in the computer room for eternity. Hope you bought enough internet time! (Why on earth do I have to touch something to go through a door to the outside?? Why? Didn't I pay my dues by waving the magic wand to get in there in the first place? Are they testing my motivation? 'Cause, honey, one day that little button is going to be too much effort.)
I'm thinking NASA designed my building to confuse aliens (illegal, from Mars, same difference...).
For some reason, I always get locked out when I'm just running downstairs to do laundry--either to make sure no one has stolen the dryer that i've carefully placed an "Out of Order" sign on, or to transfer stuff from the washer to the dryer. I don't think about keys until I'm scurrying out of the way of the Launchpad, I mean door, and then it's too late. Sigh. I'm stuck. Again.
The first few times I was locked out of my apartment, I had my cell phone on me, and I just called the BF, ran to wherever he was, and got myself back in. It costs $200 to have maintenance come and let you in your door, so yeah...that's not an option.
Tonight I didn't have my cell on me. And of course, I had no idea where BF was. Plus I was only in socks, jeans, and a tshirt, and it was about 50 degrees outside. So, I pushed the touchpad, and sat by the reception area (BF would have to go by this area to get to our apartment), and read trashy magazines.
An hour and a half later, he waved his gray tab in front of the front door, looked at me sitting there, and rolled his eyes.
That's what I get for doing his laundry.
This is at least the fourth or fifth time I've gotten locked out or in a place in New Zealand, and I've been here less than 2 months. I am NOT a dumbarse, New Zealanders are just REALLY into security.
In my apartment complex, the heavy fire doors lock automatically, and there's no propping those suckers open. They'll sweep your feet from under you and catapult you into orbit if you don't move out of the way between them and the door jamb. I'm serious. There are special ugly gray round tabs you have to wave in front of the front door, the inside front door, the trash bin/garage door, the gym door, the computer room door, the movie room door, the door to get to the outside hallway between my building and the attached complex, and the door to get into the attached complex from the little outside hallway between my building and it, to gain entry. Also, you have to hit a touchpad or a little switch or a button to go the opposite way out of these doors...and sometimes you have to coordinate the button pushing with the door opening, otherwise, sorry, you are stuck in the computer room for eternity. Hope you bought enough internet time! (Why on earth do I have to touch something to go through a door to the outside?? Why? Didn't I pay my dues by waving the magic wand to get in there in the first place? Are they testing my motivation? 'Cause, honey, one day that little button is going to be too much effort.)
I'm thinking NASA designed my building to confuse aliens (illegal, from Mars, same difference...).
For some reason, I always get locked out when I'm just running downstairs to do laundry--either to make sure no one has stolen the dryer that i've carefully placed an "Out of Order" sign on, or to transfer stuff from the washer to the dryer. I don't think about keys until I'm scurrying out of the way of the Launchpad, I mean door, and then it's too late. Sigh. I'm stuck. Again.
The first few times I was locked out of my apartment, I had my cell phone on me, and I just called the BF, ran to wherever he was, and got myself back in. It costs $200 to have maintenance come and let you in your door, so yeah...that's not an option.
Tonight I didn't have my cell on me. And of course, I had no idea where BF was. Plus I was only in socks, jeans, and a tshirt, and it was about 50 degrees outside. So, I pushed the touchpad, and sat by the reception area (BF would have to go by this area to get to our apartment), and read trashy magazines.
An hour and a half later, he waved his gray tab in front of the front door, looked at me sitting there, and rolled his eyes.
That's what I get for doing his laundry.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)