New jobs and navigating our new home-Jocelyn

So yesterday Trey began his new job as a post doc at the University of Canterbury. He seemed to really enjoy it. He has been doing some orientation sessions and is sharing a temporary office with a professor from NY! Americans are around every corner I tell you! :) Dr. Blaikie has suggested that he join a staff/faculty club on campus where they serve lunch, have a bar/pub and organize activities such as BBQ's and the like. I think he will probably join. It will probably be a great way for him to make connections and maybe somewhere I can go to meet other spouses of staff. They have already hooked Trey up with his computer which he seemed quite happy about. We are really doing this!! For the short term at least, Trey has been taking a bus close to our apartment to work and it is about a 10 minute bus ride. We are getting the car tomorrow night from the American couple (Jay and Vanessa) so Trey might take the option to drive to work. We both already have metrocards and they are fairly inexpensive so we will see. Trey will also likely join the gym on campus since that looks like it will be far more convenient for him.

I, on the other hand, am currently jobless but do have a work visa until December 2011. But I have already been pounding the pavement! A new friend here suggested I be in touch with a recruitment agency called Brannagins and they called me already and I am going in tomorrow at 2pm to discuss potential opportunities. In the beginning it may just be temping, but to be honest, right now a no-stress temp gig might be just what my soul needs. No pressure. No fuss. Money in my pocket. The woman I spoke to there seems really nice and I am looking forward to checking it out.

Other than that we are learning our way around and trying to start getting into a routine. I tried the gym for the first time today, Les Mills, and did a class called Body Pump which combines weightlifting with cardio aerobics. I LOVED it and will likely join soon. The instructors were really nice and once they open the new facility in October it should be even better. I already have a gym buddy - Lily who we met through our friends Jay and Vanessa. She goes to that gym and has offered to buddy up sometimes and take classes together. :)

I also did something very important - found a nail salon! It was harder than you may think. So many high end places when all I wanted was a good Asian nail salon! :) Sorry to my fellow white people, but I do not want a white person doing my nails. Just not as good. It's true!! Got my nails done and feel like a new woman after all that traveling. Now I just need to find a hair salon and a place to get waxed and I am all good! Sorry to those of you for whom that might be a bit too much information!

I also spent the better part of the day yesterday exploring High Street. High Street is known for high end retail and boutique shops. I found quite a few places that had very funky things that I loved but have made a promise to myself that I will not buy anything before I get a job. Besides, I have a feeling that saving money for travel will be a bigger priority. Between Australia, Fiji, Tokyo, Bora Bora and other NZ trips we have plenty to spend money on. That said, I would like to get a few pieces to make me blend in a bit more. All black, tall boots and dresses or skirts over pants/tights/leggings is HUGE here. I seem to recall this from my London days - not much has changed. Shopping was as they say here "heaps" of fun! The salespeople were so friendly and I noticed that instead of saying, "How are you doing?" they say, "How you going?" At least that is what I heard. So funny. They were all fascinated by my journey and lots of kiwis seem to be fascinated by Americans and all that is America.

Also, I visited a realtor to find out what other properties are out there for us to rent that might be a bit cheaper. I met with a lovely woman with a realtor called Harcourts. She was extremely helpful. We will likely be in touch with her over the next few months to figure out a place to stay long term. Our lease will run out where we are now in the end of October.

Trey and I plan to celebrate my 30th birthday next week by going out to dinner near our place at a restaurant called Pescatore which is actually in the hotel directly across from our building. The hotel is called The George and it is supposed to be really upscale for here. Afterwards we were actually invited to a new friend's b-day party - out for drinks. We have yet to go out to a bar so that should be lots of fun as well.

That is all for now. The weather continues to be spectacular and sunny. It is hard to believe this is winter. I am convinced that if this place did not seem so far away to people, everyone would move here. :) The next post we write we will be three: me, Trey and Katie (the car!)