Ah heck, I knew it would happen - almost a week between updates on my blog - apologies for any avid readers remaining, it is just that there has not been much happening over the last week.
News on the job front is that I am still looking - all previous applications have not actually resulted in an offer, but the latest one was a very close second place to the lady who actually got the post...mmm, close but no cigar or salary comes to mind! Still I am optimistic that the New year will bring more opportunities my way and so far the signs look promising for a well paid information manager role. Of course I will keep this blog updated with any news, good or bad, as it happens.
So whilst I have a pause for my first Kiwi Christmas, I have become aware of more little differences between the UK and here - for a start their postmen seem a little more reluctant to deliver items if there is anything out of the ordinary with your house. Here is a scan of a 'missed delivery' card I found in my letter box the other day...(click on this image to see a larger version)
I wonder if you actually have to own the dog for it to stop deliveries, or would this happen if your neighbours dog happen to wander into your garden. Would a dog looking out of the window cause Mr NZ Postie to be worried? The 'Other...' reason box has possibly had excuses like 'I did not like the colour of your front door', or, 'It was a bit nippy and I forgot my scarf'. Still you will be glad to hear that I collected my package (which was too big for my postbox it turned out) and will be opening it on Christmas morning!
I also videoed some clips from a 'Carols by Candle' event that Charlotte and I attended on Saturday afternoon/evening - uncharacteristically for NZ - this may have been slightly marred by the H&S Police who we suspected had banned the use of actual candles with flames (unconfirmed rumor you understand), so instead the less than romantic chemical glow emitted by glow sticks was all that was on offer. If you are reading the early edition of this post, i.e. before I get up tomorrow morning as I am really tired right now and about to go to bed, then you will not see the video clips here - but I will post them later once I have tied them together etc.
The weather has improved today and is set fair for the next few days - hot and sunny - which should help with cooking Christmas dinner on our BBQ. Yep, the plan is to have a cosy, yet unconventional, Christmas here in the apartment with Charlotte, Caroline and me - then a few friends over for boxing day - then Caroline is going away for a couple of days over new year, so it will just be me and Charlotte for that celebration :) Of course it may be hard to celebrate when technically I am just a holiday maker with no long term future guaranteed in the fantastic city of Wellington - but then again I have just looked at the UK forecast, headlines and general 'arrgh - everyone is going to kill us' type news...so forgive me for smiling and pulling out all of the stops to ensure that Kiwi Kev remains just that - Kiwi!