I am the first person to say that I am not a fan of sweating or working out. Even though I've embarked on this new journey where I'm active every day, some days it is a massive struggle to tear myself away from my bed and computer to run or zumba or whatever. Funnily enough, though, one day last week I had a weird first-in-a-lifetime sensation: I was walking home from work and a runner passed me. I was jealous and really wanted to start running right then. I couldn't wait for my workout! Something alien has taken over my brain/body!
Even if that was a one-off experience, one of my goals this year was to hire a personal trainer. Recently, one of the deal a day sites here in NZ offered a trial membership to a gym which offers personal training sessions during every work out you do there. For the low, low price of $30 for a month, I signed up. The gym is about a 20 minute walk/run from my place, but I suppose that will just get me warmed up. :) I have to start the membership by early May, so that takes me into the start of winter. After the 30 days is up, I'll have to resume my normal routines, although I think I will have to miss running and tennis in the cold and rainy fall and winter and spring seasons here in Auckland. Boooo. It will be a loooonnng break between summers without my regular daily outside workouts. Not looking forward to the rain, wind, and cold. :((
I would really like to learn how to use all of the weight machines properly, set a workout regime that will tone the parts of my body that I want toned (mostly my gut and arms!!), and just get some tips on working out, eating correctly and in the right proportions. This is a lifestyle change I definitely want to keep and expand upon. I feel awesome and my mood is generally good, even if my motivation isn't always up to par.
I think I've inspired others, too. My weekly tennis sessions with just my officemate have turned into 4 or 5 people showing up to play with me. We take turns on the court, with those of us not playing tennis whiling away the time with frisbee or soccer or gossip. My mom now wears a pedometer and tries to do enough steps a day to reduce her risk of diabetes and cancer. My roommate mentioned recently, after seeing me decked out in exercise-clothes every evening, that he'd like to start going to a gym.
All of this wouldn't be possible without the awesome weather. Have I mentioned that I LOVE SUMMER? My thyroid issues go away in warm temperatures, only to come back in cool weather. I am curious to see if they will be as severe this year.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Off to the Land of Oz
That is code for Australia! My trip is finally here...I've been saving up for it for the past few years. By the time you read this, I will be in the land of koalas, crocodiles, 'roos, and most importantly, amazing, relaxing beaches!
I am not prepared at all for this trip. Normally I scour the web for ideas on what is best to do, but not so for this time. I booked my flight back just two days ago! So far, I only have my flights and car rentals booked, and the first two nights of the trip. I hope it works out OK, like it did in NZ, where we booked hostels the day we wanted accommodation. We have a tent in case that is not going to work. I have no idea what to expect from Australia at all. I keep imagining either California or New Zealand, but I know it doesn't fit either very well. I guess I have no expectations except to see things that I have never seen before, & to take each day as it comes, on a whim. I'm getting very good at traveling that way.
Aaaahhh. Travel. Makes my heart happy. As does hanging out with good people the night before my trip, doing active things and just generally having fun until the mosquitoes start biting! It is going to be hard to come back in early-ish March. I'll take lots of photos! Only weekly posts are planned in the interim...very sorry I didn't plan ahead better. I blame NZ for making me so 'lax!
Australia, get ready!
I am not prepared at all for this trip. Normally I scour the web for ideas on what is best to do, but not so for this time. I booked my flight back just two days ago! So far, I only have my flights and car rentals booked, and the first two nights of the trip. I hope it works out OK, like it did in NZ, where we booked hostels the day we wanted accommodation. We have a tent in case that is not going to work. I have no idea what to expect from Australia at all. I keep imagining either California or New Zealand, but I know it doesn't fit either very well. I guess I have no expectations except to see things that I have never seen before, & to take each day as it comes, on a whim. I'm getting very good at traveling that way.
Aaaahhh. Travel. Makes my heart happy. As does hanging out with good people the night before my trip, doing active things and just generally having fun until the mosquitoes start biting! It is going to be hard to come back in early-ish March. I'll take lots of photos! Only weekly posts are planned in the interim...very sorry I didn't plan ahead better. I blame NZ for making me so 'lax!
Australia, get ready!
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Return Policy
For the record:
JB Hi Fi--terrible return policy. I had to fight to return something that I had bought the day before (I found a cheaper version elsewhere just after I bought the item). I specifically asked what the return policy was when I bought the item (I never do NOT ask this because of my previous experiences) and they said I had 7 days to return. Only after standing my ground resolutely, holding up the line, and describing the lying sales clerk's appearance did they relent and give me my money back. Their usual return policy is store credit only.
Pizza Hut--so-so. She groaned when I said I couldn't wait 25 minutes for a tiny personal pan pizza (I had to return a rental car) and gave me terrible looks and two dollars in 10 cent coins, but eventually returned my money. (In the US, usually they have the personal pizzas ready to go, cooked already and waiting for someone to buy them and take them immediately.).
Icebreaker outlet--STELLAR! they were stars about everything. I had bought some underwear but the store was closing so i didn't check to make sure the cut was what I wanted (it looked fine in the picture) but when I went home and opened the box, it was definitely not the cut I had in mind. I got my money back--they didn't have the cut I wanted in my size. Do people really pay $45 for underwear in their non-outlet stores?? as it was, i paid $20, on sale, outlet, with 30% off! crazy!
JB Hi Fi--terrible return policy. I had to fight to return something that I had bought the day before (I found a cheaper version elsewhere just after I bought the item). I specifically asked what the return policy was when I bought the item (I never do NOT ask this because of my previous experiences) and they said I had 7 days to return. Only after standing my ground resolutely, holding up the line, and describing the lying sales clerk's appearance did they relent and give me my money back. Their usual return policy is store credit only.
Pizza Hut--so-so. She groaned when I said I couldn't wait 25 minutes for a tiny personal pan pizza (I had to return a rental car) and gave me terrible looks and two dollars in 10 cent coins, but eventually returned my money. (In the US, usually they have the personal pizzas ready to go, cooked already and waiting for someone to buy them and take them immediately.).
Icebreaker outlet--STELLAR! they were stars about everything. I had bought some underwear but the store was closing so i didn't check to make sure the cut was what I wanted (it looked fine in the picture) but when I went home and opened the box, it was definitely not the cut I had in mind. I got my money back--they didn't have the cut I wanted in my size. Do people really pay $45 for underwear in their non-outlet stores?? as it was, i paid $20, on sale, outlet, with 30% off! crazy!
Monday, February 14, 2011
Time For Easter Travel Planning!
Yes, another travel planning post! I swear, the holidays here never end. 2011 is already the best year for traveling yet, and we're only one month into it!
New Year's weekend: Raglan and Taranaki/New Plymouth
Auckland Anniversary weekend: the Mount/Tauranga/Coromandel
This weekend (Sunday - Tuesday): trip to Central North Island to see touristy places and do fieldwork in them (we're showing a new colleague at work around and collecting data at the same time, advancing THREE of my projects that will result in published journal articles in only 3 days!).
Next Friday - beginning of March: Australia! specifically, a road trip down the great ocean road around melbourne, and a road trip from cairns to brisbane. If am so excited about this, mainly because I have done virtually no research and have no clue what to expect from Oz. I mean, i have flights to/from and between the major cities, and a car rental starting in cairns and melbourne, but no actual idea of what i'm going to see. i'll get a guidebook and wing it day by day, which is so unlike me but i've always had the best time deciding what we're doing the day before or the day of. It worked in NZ last year on the South Island, and it worked in Utah and the southwest last September.
mid-March: a week in Welly or Dunedin for work.
Easter 4 day weekend: not sure, but my friend mentioned today that she definitely wants to do something. I'll propose one of my trips on my 'to-do' list and see what sticks. She was all for climbing Mt Taranaki but we just went there, so we'll see?
Near my birthday, maybe in August: I desperately do not want another NZ winter to go by without me trying to learn to ski or snowboard. For my birthday, I'm proposing to several people that we go hit the slopes, preferably in Queenstown, but I'd take Ruapehu too. :) I've never had a cold birthday trip before--I'm used to summer vacation birthdays and pool parties, so I am envisioning cozying up by the fire with drinks, playing board games, and jumping in the hot tub with snow all around during the evenings, while learning to ski or snowboard during the days. Sounds awesome...
December: Mom and sis come out and we explore NZ and Oz! I have nearly everything booked for this trip. A few odds and ends still need to be finalized and booked (one nights' accommodation, the heli-hiking glacier trip).
Interspersed in between will, no doubt, be trips around for various field work for my job and for conferences. for example, I already know I'll be on the South Island for a conference at the end of the year.
My mood these days? an enviable 9/10. The summer weather really suits me, and so do all these travel and social plans.
New Year's weekend: Raglan and Taranaki/New Plymouth
Auckland Anniversary weekend: the Mount/Tauranga/Coromandel
This weekend (Sunday - Tuesday): trip to Central North Island to see touristy places and do fieldwork in them (we're showing a new colleague at work around and collecting data at the same time, advancing THREE of my projects that will result in published journal articles in only 3 days!).
Next Friday - beginning of March: Australia! specifically, a road trip down the great ocean road around melbourne, and a road trip from cairns to brisbane. If am so excited about this, mainly because I have done virtually no research and have no clue what to expect from Oz. I mean, i have flights to/from and between the major cities, and a car rental starting in cairns and melbourne, but no actual idea of what i'm going to see. i'll get a guidebook and wing it day by day, which is so unlike me but i've always had the best time deciding what we're doing the day before or the day of. It worked in NZ last year on the South Island, and it worked in Utah and the southwest last September.
mid-March: a week in Welly or Dunedin for work.
Easter 4 day weekend: not sure, but my friend mentioned today that she definitely wants to do something. I'll propose one of my trips on my 'to-do' list and see what sticks. She was all for climbing Mt Taranaki but we just went there, so we'll see?
Near my birthday, maybe in August: I desperately do not want another NZ winter to go by without me trying to learn to ski or snowboard. For my birthday, I'm proposing to several people that we go hit the slopes, preferably in Queenstown, but I'd take Ruapehu too. :) I've never had a cold birthday trip before--I'm used to summer vacation birthdays and pool parties, so I am envisioning cozying up by the fire with drinks, playing board games, and jumping in the hot tub with snow all around during the evenings, while learning to ski or snowboard during the days. Sounds awesome...
December: Mom and sis come out and we explore NZ and Oz! I have nearly everything booked for this trip. A few odds and ends still need to be finalized and booked (one nights' accommodation, the heli-hiking glacier trip).
Interspersed in between will, no doubt, be trips around for various field work for my job and for conferences. for example, I already know I'll be on the South Island for a conference at the end of the year.
My mood these days? an enviable 9/10. The summer weather really suits me, and so do all these travel and social plans.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Outlet Shopping!
I had to pick up a car for a work trip that starts tomorrow early today (Saturday). Since I don't normally have a car, I used it to go outlet shopping!
First stop: Onehunga outlets. This place is a maze, and very busy. Like any outlet, you are competing with lots of people for the best deals, and it can get crowded. Also, you have to wade through a lot of clothing, try a lot of pieces on, etc. before you can find a real 'steal.' I tend to not like outlets because they usually are way overpriced store brands, marked down only a little bit. At least, that is what I'm used to in the States. It isn't like I normally shop at Ann Taylor, after all, so Loft prices are still too high for me. The same was true of the name brands here: Esprit had a lot of deals, but still, way too rich for my blood! Adidas sneakers were marked down from $200 to $140. Ha! Nope, not flying for me. I've never paid more than $50 for my Adidases before, not gonna start now! But they do have the cheap stores in the outlets here, too: jeanswest, Just jeans, glassons, cotton on, etc. I was able to get one (guys' XS) t-shirt, a tank top, and a girls t-shirt for a total of $24.
Then I got lost and ended up trying to find the Icebreaker outlet near the airport. I've been wanting some icebreaker since moving to NZ. Now I finally own some Icebreaker Merino products! I am very excited about this, they are easily the best known clothing line for outdoorsy activities in NZ.
I have heard that many NZ'ers layer a tank top made of merino underneath their normal clothing in winter to keep warm (not much insulation here). I got a cute icebreaker t shirt, a tank top, and some underwear for $125 total. Considering the price of the Icebreaker tshirt in normal outdoors stores is almost that much, I feel like I got a deal.
Now, I just hope that I am not allergic to wool. :) I've avoided wool my entire life, because I find it scratchy and my skin is sensitive, but these shirts feel extremely soft. We will see if they were worth the investment this winter!
First stop: Onehunga outlets. This place is a maze, and very busy. Like any outlet, you are competing with lots of people for the best deals, and it can get crowded. Also, you have to wade through a lot of clothing, try a lot of pieces on, etc. before you can find a real 'steal.' I tend to not like outlets because they usually are way overpriced store brands, marked down only a little bit. At least, that is what I'm used to in the States. It isn't like I normally shop at Ann Taylor, after all, so Loft prices are still too high for me. The same was true of the name brands here: Esprit had a lot of deals, but still, way too rich for my blood! Adidas sneakers were marked down from $200 to $140. Ha! Nope, not flying for me. I've never paid more than $50 for my Adidases before, not gonna start now! But they do have the cheap stores in the outlets here, too: jeanswest, Just jeans, glassons, cotton on, etc. I was able to get one (guys' XS) t-shirt, a tank top, and a girls t-shirt for a total of $24.
Then I got lost and ended up trying to find the Icebreaker outlet near the airport. I've been wanting some icebreaker since moving to NZ. Now I finally own some Icebreaker Merino products! I am very excited about this, they are easily the best known clothing line for outdoorsy activities in NZ.
I have heard that many NZ'ers layer a tank top made of merino underneath their normal clothing in winter to keep warm (not much insulation here). I got a cute icebreaker t shirt, a tank top, and some underwear for $125 total. Considering the price of the Icebreaker tshirt in normal outdoors stores is almost that much, I feel like I got a deal.
Now, I just hope that I am not allergic to wool. :) I've avoided wool my entire life, because I find it scratchy and my skin is sensitive, but these shirts feel extremely soft. We will see if they were worth the investment this winter!
How Much Is Too Much? Sydney at New Year's
I have always thought that I've straddled the line on cost vs worth on vacations thus far. I have not majorly regretted a single penny that I've spent on travel or experiences in my life. Hawaii, going home to see family, road tripping around NZ and the US, trips around the US to see friends, Vanuatu and the special experience I had there...all worth it. Then pops up Sydney at New Year's. The fireworks are free, but that means nothing when there are millions of people jockeying for the same few spots that offer a good view of the midnight fireworks.
Most of me doesn't care. Great. Fireworks on New Year's Eve...just like every other city on Earth that night. I may even get another chance to see this in my lifetime. But then I think about my mom, who has never been out of the US, and how this is her once in a lifetime trip. Something will probably happen to prevent her from having another trip like this, to my chagrin. Money is scarce. Time is scarce. It is essentially now or never, and that is only if (a big IF) nothing happens to my dad or sister or mom (or anyone in the rest of our family) in the next 10 months to change that scenario.
I really don't want the night to be awful. But given the circumstances, I think it may turn out to be a once in a lifetime experience that we will be glad not to repeat. Just something that we can tick off our lists: Sydney at New Year's. It will be hot and humid. It will be insanely crowded and annoying to get anywhere. It might rain. We will be surrounded by hundreds of thousands of drunk puking people. Ugh. The NZ in my body may have an allergic reaction to being surrounded by Aussies (joke). Our hostel is a cockroach ridden hole with terrible reviews, but is $105 a night for the 3 of us (AN UNBELIEVABLE RATE), and I got it on a loophole for 3 nights instead of the normally required minimum 5 nights (the rate shot up and the hostel filled up a mere 24 hours after I reserved our spots). We will not sleep, we will have to dodge puke and drunk idiots on our way to the bathroom. All for some fireworks that we may not even be able to see. That is what I am expecting out of the night. Doesn't sound pleasant, does it?!
And yet to change any of that scenario, we'd have to camp out the night before on a patch of lawn and spend all day in the hot sun (not happening, my mom HATES camping), spend $600 AUD per person for a harbor cruise, $150+ for a spot on a roof or a patch of lawn, or pay 7 times as much for a hotel, minimum. The frugal side of me cannot stomach that cost, but the other side says, why are we even going to be in Sydney if we can't see the fireworks and enjoy them??
So I am trying to decide what would save the night. A fireworks cruise? An upgrade to another hostel? I do NOT trust this hostel--even though I confirmed over phone and email twice, their reviews make me think they are shady and apt to pull a fast one on us at the time we check in. "Oh...the rate changed! You have to pay $1200 instead of your confirmed $300, sorry. There is no other accommodation available in the city, so you are stuck paying. whoops!" or "we have to split you up even though you confirmed a triple private room. sorry!" or the worst: "we cannot honor your reservation." "we lost your confirmation in the system." If the reviews are bad normally, I think they are likely to be 1000x worse over a holiday like new year's. Bah.
I am researching lots. I think there are cruises for cheaper, but I can't book them online for some reason. I really don't want to pay $650 per person for a cruise, but thinking about it more, I think I would pay $150 per person for us to save the night a bit and ensure we have a good spot to view the 'works. It can be my birthday/Xmas/Mother's day/etc present to my mom and sis for the next 3 years.
So...anyone have experience in Sydney for NYE?? How is it, where did you spend it, and how much did it cost? Any tricks, tips, or advice?
Most of me doesn't care. Great. Fireworks on New Year's Eve...just like every other city on Earth that night. I may even get another chance to see this in my lifetime. But then I think about my mom, who has never been out of the US, and how this is her once in a lifetime trip. Something will probably happen to prevent her from having another trip like this, to my chagrin. Money is scarce. Time is scarce. It is essentially now or never, and that is only if (a big IF) nothing happens to my dad or sister or mom (or anyone in the rest of our family) in the next 10 months to change that scenario.
I really don't want the night to be awful. But given the circumstances, I think it may turn out to be a once in a lifetime experience that we will be glad not to repeat. Just something that we can tick off our lists: Sydney at New Year's. It will be hot and humid. It will be insanely crowded and annoying to get anywhere. It might rain. We will be surrounded by hundreds of thousands of drunk puking people. Ugh. The NZ in my body may have an allergic reaction to being surrounded by Aussies (joke). Our hostel is a cockroach ridden hole with terrible reviews, but is $105 a night for the 3 of us (AN UNBELIEVABLE RATE), and I got it on a loophole for 3 nights instead of the normally required minimum 5 nights (the rate shot up and the hostel filled up a mere 24 hours after I reserved our spots). We will not sleep, we will have to dodge puke and drunk idiots on our way to the bathroom. All for some fireworks that we may not even be able to see. That is what I am expecting out of the night. Doesn't sound pleasant, does it?!
And yet to change any of that scenario, we'd have to camp out the night before on a patch of lawn and spend all day in the hot sun (not happening, my mom HATES camping), spend $600 AUD per person for a harbor cruise, $150+ for a spot on a roof or a patch of lawn, or pay 7 times as much for a hotel, minimum. The frugal side of me cannot stomach that cost, but the other side says, why are we even going to be in Sydney if we can't see the fireworks and enjoy them??
So I am trying to decide what would save the night. A fireworks cruise? An upgrade to another hostel? I do NOT trust this hostel--even though I confirmed over phone and email twice, their reviews make me think they are shady and apt to pull a fast one on us at the time we check in. "Oh...the rate changed! You have to pay $1200 instead of your confirmed $300, sorry. There is no other accommodation available in the city, so you are stuck paying. whoops!" or "we have to split you up even though you confirmed a triple private room. sorry!" or the worst: "we cannot honor your reservation." "we lost your confirmation in the system." If the reviews are bad normally, I think they are likely to be 1000x worse over a holiday like new year's. Bah.
I am researching lots. I think there are cruises for cheaper, but I can't book them online for some reason. I really don't want to pay $650 per person for a cruise, but thinking about it more, I think I would pay $150 per person for us to save the night a bit and ensure we have a good spot to view the 'works. It can be my birthday/Xmas/Mother's day/etc present to my mom and sis for the next 3 years.
So...anyone have experience in Sydney for NYE?? How is it, where did you spend it, and how much did it cost? Any tricks, tips, or advice?
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Move Back to US Fund Done!
I was running out of goals for 2011, so I made some up randomly for events that I think will take place in the future. One such event is moving back to the US to be with my family!
I am not sure how much I will need for that, but the $5K NZD that I just saved will be a great start.
Next up, saving for a trip back to the US to see my family and friends in the US in 2012. Initially my plan was to move back in 2012, but my job looks like it will still be around then. As I have said before, I am in love with it, so I will be sticking around for as long as that is true and it is available. Given the situation, I guess I have to stop thinking that the move to NZ is temporary...
Also, I decided to save some money for items that I wouldn't normally buy that I've wanted for a long time. I keep a running list on the sidebar there, and it ranges from very inexpensive items to bigger purchases, but $2500 would cover most everything that I could think of that I want that I can buy.
After that, I will have to come up with some new goals. My wants are pretty much taken care of at this point. I suppose I could start a generic travel fund for opportunities that come up out of the blue (like the Fiji trip I'm skipping this month due to cost), increase monthly contributions my retirement and house down payment funds, increase contributions to my Europe fund, and start a Parents Fund for the inevitable. Many of those funds sound boring, and they are, but I think they are necessary.
Other goals I can think of involve travel. Other than weekend or 4 day trips, or trips back home to visit my family, I don't think I will be doing much major traveling after my Australia adventure next month and after my mom and sis come to visit me this December. I will definitely have exhausted my 'must do Down Under' list by then. The other things I can think of to do are cool, but definitely not things I will regret if I don't do. They also tend to be more 'challenge' type activities:
I suppose I could start a new hobby...something more expensive that I have been avoiding due to cost? perhaps some language lessons? Or I could start investing more money into getting fit and healthy, get a gym membership, and start seeing doctors and nutrionists and trainers? I could see a therapist, and start working on any personal issues...? or I could invest in some high quality clothing and shoes and shape up my appearance--everyone says I look 23. Probably not good for my professional image, since I am actually going to be turning ten years older than that in a few months!! Ah well. We'll see where my life takes me, I guess. It is so good right now, but I am always waiting and ready for the other shoe.
I am not sure how much I will need for that, but the $5K NZD that I just saved will be a great start.
Next up, saving for a trip back to the US to see my family and friends in the US in 2012. Initially my plan was to move back in 2012, but my job looks like it will still be around then. As I have said before, I am in love with it, so I will be sticking around for as long as that is true and it is available. Given the situation, I guess I have to stop thinking that the move to NZ is temporary...
Also, I decided to save some money for items that I wouldn't normally buy that I've wanted for a long time. I keep a running list on the sidebar there, and it ranges from very inexpensive items to bigger purchases, but $2500 would cover most everything that I could think of that I want that I can buy.
After that, I will have to come up with some new goals. My wants are pretty much taken care of at this point. I suppose I could start a generic travel fund for opportunities that come up out of the blue (like the Fiji trip I'm skipping this month due to cost), increase monthly contributions my retirement and house down payment funds, increase contributions to my Europe fund, and start a Parents Fund for the inevitable. Many of those funds sound boring, and they are, but I think they are necessary.
Other goals I can think of involve travel. Other than weekend or 4 day trips, or trips back home to visit my family, I don't think I will be doing much major traveling after my Australia adventure next month and after my mom and sis come to visit me this December. I will definitely have exhausted my 'must do Down Under' list by then. The other things I can think of to do are cool, but definitely not things I will regret if I don't do. They also tend to be more 'challenge' type activities:
- backpack the Milford or Routeburn tracks,
- summit Mt Egmont/Taranaki,
- summit Ngauruhoe,
- summit Edgecumbe,
- backpack/kayak Abel Tasman track,
- try skiing,
- try snowboarding,
- summit Ruapehu,
- feel an earthquake in Christchurch and see the damage,
- whale watching in Kaikoura,
- a visit to explore Wellington,
- camp at Kai Iwi lakes,
- sandboard at Cape Reinga,
- kayak through Cathedral Cove,
- or camp at Great Barrier Island.
I suppose I could start a new hobby...something more expensive that I have been avoiding due to cost? perhaps some language lessons? Or I could start investing more money into getting fit and healthy, get a gym membership, and start seeing doctors and nutrionists and trainers? I could see a therapist, and start working on any personal issues...? or I could invest in some high quality clothing and shoes and shape up my appearance--everyone says I look 23. Probably not good for my professional image, since I am actually going to be turning ten years older than that in a few months!! Ah well. We'll see where my life takes me, I guess. It is so good right now, but I am always waiting and ready for the other shoe.
Wednesday, February 09, 2011
Travel Is Life
So many trips!
I just found out I am going on a trip to do fieldwork in the Central North Island Sunday - Tuesday. I leave for Oz the Friday after that, and get back only to fly down to Dunedin or Wellington (or both) for some lab analysis work for a week, which I also just found out about/planned today! So blogging is going to take a serious backseat in my life for a while.
We had a visitor at work today, one of my FAVORITE people in NZ. He is so smart and cool and funny (and happily married, so I can say all of those things about him to other people without them thinking I am into him). He is probably only a year or two older than me, but is MUCH further down the career track than I am. I completely look up to him professionally, and he's very personable so we get along well personally as well. I actually met him ten years ago in grad school when he stopped by for a week to travel with my class (he happened to know my professor, who was from NZ) and I had a huge crush on him then--the NZ accent is pretty dang cute, especially on an already-attractive guy. Imagine my surprise and delight when I found out I'd be working with him in NZ! In any case, it was a happy coincidence, and my enormous crush has flattened into firm platonic admiration and respect. There actually is a PhD opening up with him as the supervisor, and I'm severely tempted, although I'd have to move to Wellington to pursue it.
In any case, after my boss mentioned that we had extra money for me to use for something, he floated the idea of me coming to stay with him and his wife in Wellington while I learn a new lab skill. Alternately, he would accompany me and teach me different lab skills in Dunedin. So awesome! Also, he has contacts in the exact organization in the US where I want to work--it would bring me back to my family! All in all--a very good person to have around.
I just found out I am going on a trip to do fieldwork in the Central North Island Sunday - Tuesday. I leave for Oz the Friday after that, and get back only to fly down to Dunedin or Wellington (or both) for some lab analysis work for a week, which I also just found out about/planned today! So blogging is going to take a serious backseat in my life for a while.
We had a visitor at work today, one of my FAVORITE people in NZ. He is so smart and cool and funny (and happily married, so I can say all of those things about him to other people without them thinking I am into him). He is probably only a year or two older than me, but is MUCH further down the career track than I am. I completely look up to him professionally, and he's very personable so we get along well personally as well. I actually met him ten years ago in grad school when he stopped by for a week to travel with my class (he happened to know my professor, who was from NZ) and I had a huge crush on him then--the NZ accent is pretty dang cute, especially on an already-attractive guy. Imagine my surprise and delight when I found out I'd be working with him in NZ! In any case, it was a happy coincidence, and my enormous crush has flattened into firm platonic admiration and respect. There actually is a PhD opening up with him as the supervisor, and I'm severely tempted, although I'd have to move to Wellington to pursue it.
In any case, after my boss mentioned that we had extra money for me to use for something, he floated the idea of me coming to stay with him and his wife in Wellington while I learn a new lab skill. Alternately, he would accompany me and teach me different lab skills in Dunedin. So awesome! Also, he has contacts in the exact organization in the US where I want to work--it would bring me back to my family! All in all--a very good person to have around.
Sunday, February 06, 2011
Work It Out
In January, I worked out every day for an hour and showered every day, as per my resolutions. I did give myself a cheat day every week, but didn't end up needing it most weeks, unless the weather was horrible on a Sunday. I love my workouts now. I am not sure what changed in me, but motivation isn't a problem anymore. It simply is what I do.
The summer weather is probably the entire cause of that motivation. I love being outside when it is warm and sunny (or even just warm). It isn't difficult for me to make myself go outside and run for a half hour when daylight lasts until 9 pm after work, and I can pull on shorts and head out the door. It works with me and my lifestyle.
So what I decided to do was no excuses, I had to go outside and do something for an hour a day. that is the entire rule: be active for an hour a day. I can do anything, as long as I do not stop moving, and I raise my heart rate and sweat and feel like I've pushed myself a bit. I've gotten into a 'routine' that varies each day (if you can call something that varies each week a routine), and I cycle through various activities based on my mood each day. This keeps me from getting bored, and I always feel like I am deciding what I get to do instead of feeling like I have to do something.
2-3 times a week, I do a run from the Couch to 5K regime. Mostly Week 1, because that is comfortable, but I step it up if I feel I am not challenged enough or the terrain is flat or down hill. When I get bored with Week 1, I do a Week 2 or 3 run. Easy peasy. I extend the runs to take up most of the hour, and always go a different route when I run, just to explore. Since my landlord told me she may sell the house and I may have to move, I've been looking on trademe for housing. On my runs, I usually plan my routes to areas with the listed houses/neighborhoods that I want to check out. It's productive, fun, and I get a work out in.
Some days, it rains. Those days, I have concession cards that I bought off of grabone for various dance classes for cheap (one class is $3.50!!!). When it is raining, I check the schedule for each dance business, and choose which dance class I want to go to. It's really fun. I have tried all sorts of dance now, and still have lots more to learn. I'm especially excited about trying pole dancing!
In addition, every week I play tennis with my officemate and whoever else wants to join. I bought a Nike tennis skirt for $20 from a thrift shop on K road, and my officemate brought me back an old tennis racket of hers from the states--I gave her $20 to 'rent' it while we're both in NZ. I also bought balls for $20. There are free courts in various places around the city, so we make a date (usually Sunday, as there are no dance classes that day). Voila--an almost-free source of entertainment and exercise. My officemate used to play tennis in high school, so she is teaching me how to play. I've played (very) off and on with her since last October, and I finally got to a point where she and I can volley more than 10 times in a row! yes, I suck, but it is very good exercise and I love gabbing and gossiping while we play. It is so much fun and I look forward to it all week.
I love that I work out all the time now. I hurt my foot last weekend and can barely walk on my right foot, and not being able to run or dance is quite boring. I can't wait to get out there again!
During the winter, I am going to seriously consider getting a gym membership. I hope I can keep up this momentum and make this a permanent lifestyle change, just like my flossing.
The summer weather is probably the entire cause of that motivation. I love being outside when it is warm and sunny (or even just warm). It isn't difficult for me to make myself go outside and run for a half hour when daylight lasts until 9 pm after work, and I can pull on shorts and head out the door. It works with me and my lifestyle.
So what I decided to do was no excuses, I had to go outside and do something for an hour a day. that is the entire rule: be active for an hour a day. I can do anything, as long as I do not stop moving, and I raise my heart rate and sweat and feel like I've pushed myself a bit. I've gotten into a 'routine' that varies each day (if you can call something that varies each week a routine), and I cycle through various activities based on my mood each day. This keeps me from getting bored, and I always feel like I am deciding what I get to do instead of feeling like I have to do something.
2-3 times a week, I do a run from the Couch to 5K regime. Mostly Week 1, because that is comfortable, but I step it up if I feel I am not challenged enough or the terrain is flat or down hill. When I get bored with Week 1, I do a Week 2 or 3 run. Easy peasy. I extend the runs to take up most of the hour, and always go a different route when I run, just to explore. Since my landlord told me she may sell the house and I may have to move, I've been looking on trademe for housing. On my runs, I usually plan my routes to areas with the listed houses/neighborhoods that I want to check out. It's productive, fun, and I get a work out in.
Some days, it rains. Those days, I have concession cards that I bought off of grabone for various dance classes for cheap (one class is $3.50!!!). When it is raining, I check the schedule for each dance business, and choose which dance class I want to go to. It's really fun. I have tried all sorts of dance now, and still have lots more to learn. I'm especially excited about trying pole dancing!
In addition, every week I play tennis with my officemate and whoever else wants to join. I bought a Nike tennis skirt for $20 from a thrift shop on K road, and my officemate brought me back an old tennis racket of hers from the states--I gave her $20 to 'rent' it while we're both in NZ. I also bought balls for $20. There are free courts in various places around the city, so we make a date (usually Sunday, as there are no dance classes that day). Voila--an almost-free source of entertainment and exercise. My officemate used to play tennis in high school, so she is teaching me how to play. I've played (very) off and on with her since last October, and I finally got to a point where she and I can volley more than 10 times in a row! yes, I suck, but it is very good exercise and I love gabbing and gossiping while we play. It is so much fun and I look forward to it all week.
I love that I work out all the time now. I hurt my foot last weekend and can barely walk on my right foot, and not being able to run or dance is quite boring. I can't wait to get out there again!
During the winter, I am going to seriously consider getting a gym membership. I hope I can keep up this momentum and make this a permanent lifestyle change, just like my flossing.
Saturday, February 05, 2011
Have the Hard Conversations Before It Gets Bad
My Uncle C used to golf every day, flew his plane around (he has a 4 seater Cessna, soooo awesome to fly when I visit!!), and is a laid-off contractor that was a victim of the real estate disaster. Among other specialized construction projects, he built roller coasters at Universal Studios in CA. In September, I visited him and my aunt during my road trip around Utah, Arizona, Nevada, and California and he flew us around in his plane, giving us turns at the wheel. It is completely exhilarating and I love him so much.
Uncle C had a moderate stroke about a month and a half ago, suddenly, out of the blue. He was admitted to the hospital, and they found a lump in his chest soon thereafter. He was taken off of his blood thinners for a biopsy, but as soon as they did that, he had more strokes, so they had to come up with an alternate plan to diagnose the lump.
He's not doing very well, and my cousin, his daughter, had to fly home from across the world from her first semester in graduate school to help her mom out for a month. My aunt continued to work while my cousin was at home, but my aunt works 6 hours away from their house, and commutes weekly between the two in a 4 day on/3 day off schedule.
My aunt had to quit her job when my cousin left for school again last week. She is now a full time caretaker for her husband, my uncle. Last week my uncle was also diagnosed with lung cancer. He's between stage 3b and 4, which means he has approximately 13 months to live, maximum, on average. They will treat it with chemo, but it is incurable.
My uncle isn't sleeping because of the horrible cough he has (caused by the cancer), and can't get around or drive or do anything. That situation is always a tragedy, but I feel like it is worse for him because he used to be so active before the first stroke. He's completely dependent on my aunt for everything. It is crazy, because just a few months ago, he and my aunt were planning out the rest of their lives together, talking about selling their CA house (bought in the 70's--MAJOR profit!) to move to a lux retirement/resort on a golf course in New Mexico. I had plans to visit them and play shuffleboard. :)
The stroke really came out of nowhere, as was the cancer diagnosis. They don't have long term health care insurance, so my aunt really is the only option for care-taking.
I asked my mother if my parents had long term care insurance, and of course they don't have it. I know exactly who will be stepping in to help if anything ever goes (more) wrong with my parents, and I think it is completely foolish not to have it. Her response is that it is too expensive. I then asked her who she thought would end up paying for it in the end? and her response was that they'd sell off everything they have. Great, I said. Then where will you live?
We all know the answer to that one. With me. It will end with me. Since my dad and sister got sick over ten years ago, I've known this. I know it is coming, I just don't know when exactly. My whole life since has been waiting for the other shoe to drop, and appreciating the time I have supporting only myself. It is why I got into finance in the first place. I have to know how to deal with it when it happens.
So I offered to pay for the long term care insurance, because I will end up footing the bill anyway--why not try to lessen the damage when something happens? I asked her to look into it, at least. It was a hard conversation to have with her, because SHE knew it would end with me saving them, and she hates that idea. But there is no other way. Burying your head in the sand is only going to make everything worse in this case.
I don't understand the American system at all now. It didn't seem fair somehow when I lived in the US, but now that I live in NZ, I think profiting off of someone else's pain is downright evil. It doesn't have to be that way. It doesn't have to destroy lives and end up with people having nothing because of a sudden illness, but that is how it is in America.
Uncle C had a moderate stroke about a month and a half ago, suddenly, out of the blue. He was admitted to the hospital, and they found a lump in his chest soon thereafter. He was taken off of his blood thinners for a biopsy, but as soon as they did that, he had more strokes, so they had to come up with an alternate plan to diagnose the lump.
He's not doing very well, and my cousin, his daughter, had to fly home from across the world from her first semester in graduate school to help her mom out for a month. My aunt continued to work while my cousin was at home, but my aunt works 6 hours away from their house, and commutes weekly between the two in a 4 day on/3 day off schedule.
My aunt had to quit her job when my cousin left for school again last week. She is now a full time caretaker for her husband, my uncle. Last week my uncle was also diagnosed with lung cancer. He's between stage 3b and 4, which means he has approximately 13 months to live, maximum, on average. They will treat it with chemo, but it is incurable.
My uncle isn't sleeping because of the horrible cough he has (caused by the cancer), and can't get around or drive or do anything. That situation is always a tragedy, but I feel like it is worse for him because he used to be so active before the first stroke. He's completely dependent on my aunt for everything. It is crazy, because just a few months ago, he and my aunt were planning out the rest of their lives together, talking about selling their CA house (bought in the 70's--MAJOR profit!) to move to a lux retirement/resort on a golf course in New Mexico. I had plans to visit them and play shuffleboard. :)
The stroke really came out of nowhere, as was the cancer diagnosis. They don't have long term health care insurance, so my aunt really is the only option for care-taking.
I asked my mother if my parents had long term care insurance, and of course they don't have it. I know exactly who will be stepping in to help if anything ever goes (more) wrong with my parents, and I think it is completely foolish not to have it. Her response is that it is too expensive. I then asked her who she thought would end up paying for it in the end? and her response was that they'd sell off everything they have. Great, I said. Then where will you live?
We all know the answer to that one. With me. It will end with me. Since my dad and sister got sick over ten years ago, I've known this. I know it is coming, I just don't know when exactly. My whole life since has been waiting for the other shoe to drop, and appreciating the time I have supporting only myself. It is why I got into finance in the first place. I have to know how to deal with it when it happens.
So I offered to pay for the long term care insurance, because I will end up footing the bill anyway--why not try to lessen the damage when something happens? I asked her to look into it, at least. It was a hard conversation to have with her, because SHE knew it would end with me saving them, and she hates that idea. But there is no other way. Burying your head in the sand is only going to make everything worse in this case.
I don't understand the American system at all now. It didn't seem fair somehow when I lived in the US, but now that I live in NZ, I think profiting off of someone else's pain is downright evil. It doesn't have to be that way. It doesn't have to destroy lives and end up with people having nothing because of a sudden illness, but that is how it is in America.
January was AWESOME.
Two road trips to many places I've never been before in NZ and the arrival of a visiting friend made my January 2011 extremely fun. On top of that, I finished 3 major projects at work and was close to finishing a fourth (which was finished this week). Fun stuff is ahead, too: I'm going to Australia for the first time for 2 weeks in the latter half of Feb, and I've nearly got all the planning done for my mom and sister's trip this December.
January also brought lovely, wonderful, shorts and t-shirts-tastic weather. Compared to my home state in southeastern US, where air conditioning is a NECESSITY, not a luxury, in summer, even the most humid weather in Auckland was completely welcome. Summer makes me SO HAPPY. Sunshine, holidays, daylight until 9 pm...I wish I could move to a place where that is the norm all the time. Because of this weather, I embarked on a fitness regime, the likes of which I have never before been able to sustain for more than a week. Post on that coming soon.
I will figure out my finances for Jan soon, but to sum it all up, I think this is close to the final tally:
Considering the two trips, I think I did pretty well. The biggest budget jumps were in eating out and misc, where the travelling comes into play. I don't eat out normally--a takeout here or there, yes, but not a very regular thing. With traveling, dinners are sometimes hard to bring with you, so we ended up eating out. And there were lots of people to entertain and hang out with and a yummy birthday at the BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANT IN NZ. Everyone who has tried and failed knows it is extremely difficult to find mexican food in New Zealand, first off, but good mexican is basically impossible. But this restaurant, a cute little one tucked away almost non-descriptly amongst other, louder restaurants (so virtually hidden that it took me two years to notice it)? It easily rivals the most amazing mexican I scarfed in southern California, land of the best (Baja California-ized) mexican food on the planet. I am not normally a foodie, but listen here, Aucklanders: if you want to eat a fantastic example of great mexican food, go to Little Mexico on Wellesley St. You will thank me (but bring your wallet, $30 for fajitas (?!!!!?!!) is INSANE.). Everyone (7 of us) ordered different dishes and we all raved about each one. Definitely a special occasion restaurant, but it is worth it and it will not disappoint.
Oh man. I had SUCH a good time and am so happy right now! Good friends and travel...they are what makes my life full and rich.
January also brought lovely, wonderful, shorts and t-shirts-tastic weather. Compared to my home state in southeastern US, where air conditioning is a NECESSITY, not a luxury, in summer, even the most humid weather in Auckland was completely welcome. Summer makes me SO HAPPY. Sunshine, holidays, daylight until 9 pm...I wish I could move to a place where that is the norm all the time. Because of this weather, I embarked on a fitness regime, the likes of which I have never before been able to sustain for more than a week. Post on that coming soon.
I will figure out my finances for Jan soon, but to sum it all up, I think this is close to the final tally:
Considering the two trips, I think I did pretty well. The biggest budget jumps were in eating out and misc, where the travelling comes into play. I don't eat out normally--a takeout here or there, yes, but not a very regular thing. With traveling, dinners are sometimes hard to bring with you, so we ended up eating out. And there were lots of people to entertain and hang out with and a yummy birthday at the BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANT IN NZ. Everyone who has tried and failed knows it is extremely difficult to find mexican food in New Zealand, first off, but good mexican is basically impossible. But this restaurant, a cute little one tucked away almost non-descriptly amongst other, louder restaurants (so virtually hidden that it took me two years to notice it)? It easily rivals the most amazing mexican I scarfed in southern California, land of the best (Baja California-ized) mexican food on the planet. I am not normally a foodie, but listen here, Aucklanders: if you want to eat a fantastic example of great mexican food, go to Little Mexico on Wellesley St. You will thank me (but bring your wallet, $30 for fajitas (?!!!!?!!) is INSANE.). Everyone (7 of us) ordered different dishes and we all raved about each one. Definitely a special occasion restaurant, but it is worth it and it will not disappoint.
Oh man. I had SUCH a good time and am so happy right now! Good friends and travel...they are what makes my life full and rich.
Thursday, February 03, 2011
More Roommate Drama
The situation with the roommate continues...
I feel guilty about something, but don't know if I should offer to pay for my mistake or not.
Ex roommate left some of her stuff in my apartment in mid-December, saying that she'd be back in a few days to collect it. I agreed to this.
A few days later, she says she is coming by to grab it. She still has keys, so I say, sure, fine, come on in. New roommate is using some of her stuff (a lamp) until she comes to collect it. She doesn't show. Repeat of this a few days later.
I ask for the keys back, because my key, the original, is too dull to make another working copy, and the set that new roommate is using is tricky--takes about 3 minutes to open the door, if they work at all. It takes her another week to return that set of keys, even though I say it is urgent.
Old roommate sets several more appointments to come by, we make concessions, arrangements to be home at the appointed times, and never shows. This happens maybe 3 times since she returned her keys.
Fast forward 2 weeks after she gets her bond back. I have a bunch of people coming over to my apartment to stay. I don't want them to have to look or deal with her stuff. I facebook her, saying that if she does not collect her stuff in 5 days' time, I'm putting the biggest thing and eyesore that there is just no room for anymore (a broken TV) out on the curb. Last time we talked, facebook was her preferred method of communication. She says my emails to her about bills weren't getting through, and she runs out of credit on her phone all of the time and changes numbers so I am never sure of her current number. At this point, I'm sure she'll never be back because she has received her bond and has had zero communication with me except about money, her bond. If she had bothered to keep in contact with me (I have facebooked and texted several times to say merry christmas, happy new year, how are you?, no answer) or offer thanks for holding onto her stuff or kept any of her appointments without me nagging her 12 times, I would not have done what I did next.
Five days later, my friends are arriving in town, and I have not heard from her. I set the offending TV on the curb. It disappears.
Today, 6 days after that, she texts out of the blue to say that she is coming over to collect her stuff. I make arrangements for someone to be home. She collects her lamp and leaves the rest of it. She notices that the broken tv is gone.
She calls me, and I tell her what happened. She gets angry and says that I should have emailed, called, texted, etc. instead of facebooking, and I am to pay for the TV, as she has sold the broken TV to someone. I am friends with her on facebook. She has been on there nearly every day and has not responded to my message.
Feeling like I should have done more to contact her, I offer the (working) TV in the garage as a replacement. She refuses it.
So. Do I pay? I don't even know how much she sold it for, but once upon a time we (collectively, she and I) paid $50 for it. A major part of me does not want to do this because of all of the past drama, but what is your vote? I am obviously beyond seeing this rationally and can only see my side.
[ETA: OMG! She wants $70 for a broken TV. She is totally crazy.]
I feel guilty about something, but don't know if I should offer to pay for my mistake or not.
Ex roommate left some of her stuff in my apartment in mid-December, saying that she'd be back in a few days to collect it. I agreed to this.
A few days later, she says she is coming by to grab it. She still has keys, so I say, sure, fine, come on in. New roommate is using some of her stuff (a lamp) until she comes to collect it. She doesn't show. Repeat of this a few days later.
I ask for the keys back, because my key, the original, is too dull to make another working copy, and the set that new roommate is using is tricky--takes about 3 minutes to open the door, if they work at all. It takes her another week to return that set of keys, even though I say it is urgent.
Old roommate sets several more appointments to come by, we make concessions, arrangements to be home at the appointed times, and never shows. This happens maybe 3 times since she returned her keys.
Fast forward 2 weeks after she gets her bond back. I have a bunch of people coming over to my apartment to stay. I don't want them to have to look or deal with her stuff. I facebook her, saying that if she does not collect her stuff in 5 days' time, I'm putting the biggest thing and eyesore that there is just no room for anymore (a broken TV) out on the curb. Last time we talked, facebook was her preferred method of communication. She says my emails to her about bills weren't getting through, and she runs out of credit on her phone all of the time and changes numbers so I am never sure of her current number. At this point, I'm sure she'll never be back because she has received her bond and has had zero communication with me except about money, her bond. If she had bothered to keep in contact with me (I have facebooked and texted several times to say merry christmas, happy new year, how are you?, no answer) or offer thanks for holding onto her stuff or kept any of her appointments without me nagging her 12 times, I would not have done what I did next.
Five days later, my friends are arriving in town, and I have not heard from her. I set the offending TV on the curb. It disappears.
Today, 6 days after that, she texts out of the blue to say that she is coming over to collect her stuff. I make arrangements for someone to be home. She collects her lamp and leaves the rest of it. She notices that the broken tv is gone.
She calls me, and I tell her what happened. She gets angry and says that I should have emailed, called, texted, etc. instead of facebooking, and I am to pay for the TV, as she has sold the broken TV to someone. I am friends with her on facebook. She has been on there nearly every day and has not responded to my message.
Feeling like I should have done more to contact her, I offer the (working) TV in the garage as a replacement. She refuses it.
So. Do I pay? I don't even know how much she sold it for, but once upon a time we (collectively, she and I) paid $50 for it. A major part of me does not want to do this because of all of the past drama, but what is your vote? I am obviously beyond seeing this rationally and can only see my side.
[ETA: OMG! She wants $70 for a broken TV. She is totally crazy.]
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