Dear friends and family,
Life is pretty good here. I finally am getting into my jobs. Oh yeah I forgot to mention, but I did end up getting both positions. I'm working as an exercise consultant at the U leisure gym just down the road. And it's finally Christmas Eve! Holey Moley. Definitely having trouble believing it right now. Its warm as and theres barely any lights and Christmas songs blaring over the radio system. Hmmm... Weird. I guess I can do this. We do have a tree though. Cam and his mum went on a little hunt down a beaten path in Rotorua and took care of that. haha. Theres a picture of it in my pictures... must say its an interesting one as well. lol. But it does have some mad decorations, thanks to donations from Nicola Blake. :) Other than that I'm looking forward to heading off here to Rotorua and Napier for the holiday and be around the family that I do have here.
Just thought I'd start off with the positive side of things. I have some awful news from your side of the world though. My uncle Courtney suddenly passed away 2 days ago. Its really difficult to cope with. Takes you away from busy life for a awhile. PAUSE. Shocking news. How can this be? How could this happen? He was so young. Just 10 years older than me. Suddenly you feel like you are in the wrong place. Trapped. Trapped on another planet. Unable to hop in a car and speed up to Delaware and mourn with family. Your heart aches and presses hard against your chest as you try to find someone who understands. Some one to hold on to. Luckily the phone line goes through. It only makes you feel more distant though. Its then you realize that you aren't alone. My boyfriend is there to sweep me from work the instant he hears, good friends are sending love from all parts of the world (texts, calls, emails, facebook messages, skype). The love is everywhere. It really helps. I'm sure you can all relate to this type of experience at some point in your life. Its hard. Sporadic tears come and go, but at least there are cushions around. I found a charm that Uncle Courtney gave to me when I was in middle school from Arizona. Its a kokopelli. Its a major icon of the Native American Hoki tribe in America. Primarily the southwest. The kokapelli has been a source of music making and dancing, and spreading joy to those around the world. Just reminds me of my uncle, so I have put it on one of my chains and will wear it around my neck in honor of him. I still believe people who leave us in this world are still here in spirit, guiding us along.
Thats where I'll leave it. Sorry for the down trodden news, but thats how life goes. Its a roller coaster. Up and downs. Constantly fluctuating. Like the ocean. Everyone's trying to swim and stay afloat in this world.
Friday, December 24, 2010
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
HOOray!
Jill is employed!!
Take TWO: New Zealand.
Just got offered an exciting job with the New Zealand Red Cross. People Saver Instructor, here I come! My role would include going to local elementary schools and teaching them life safety lessons. The people seem great, the pay is well more than enough, and I finally have a job again. I may even have a second one here. Charlie a manager from the University gym contacted me today (after my 2 interviews) and asked me to come by and meet the crew on Thursday for a brief orientation to the facility.
That can only mean good things, right? Anyways, I hope they aren't just messing with my head here.
Besides that, I'm just trying to get everything together for Christmas! Now that a job is settled, I can start budgeting for gifts, or at least xmas cards and postage to send home now. Still no tree, but I think that might be a weekend activity at this point.
Took a late night trip to Pac N' Save for a 'pic n mix' bag of lollies of only my favorites: milk bottles, jet planes, jaffas, gummi bears, and gummi strawberries. Probably not the best idea considering I haven't had a good sleep yet all week. Of course thats okay, because I can SLEEP WHEN IM OLD, right? Or so I'm told. Sleep is overrated anyway. Naps are the way to go. Anyways, I just thought of a genius idea for Cam's Xmas gift. Need to get planning here. Also want to fit in a nap before my intro at the gym tomorrow.
Holla Holla!
Happy Holidays Frosty People!
Te Aroha,
Jilly
Take TWO: New Zealand.
Just got offered an exciting job with the New Zealand Red Cross. People Saver Instructor, here I come! My role would include going to local elementary schools and teaching them life safety lessons. The people seem great, the pay is well more than enough, and I finally have a job again. I may even have a second one here. Charlie a manager from the University gym contacted me today (after my 2 interviews) and asked me to come by and meet the crew on Thursday for a brief orientation to the facility.
That can only mean good things, right? Anyways, I hope they aren't just messing with my head here.
Besides that, I'm just trying to get everything together for Christmas! Now that a job is settled, I can start budgeting for gifts, or at least xmas cards and postage to send home now. Still no tree, but I think that might be a weekend activity at this point.
Took a late night trip to Pac N' Save for a 'pic n mix' bag of lollies of only my favorites: milk bottles, jet planes, jaffas, gummi bears, and gummi strawberries. Probably not the best idea considering I haven't had a good sleep yet all week. Of course thats okay, because I can SLEEP WHEN IM OLD, right? Or so I'm told. Sleep is overrated anyway. Naps are the way to go. Anyways, I just thought of a genius idea for Cam's Xmas gift. Need to get planning here. Also want to fit in a nap before my intro at the gym tomorrow.
Holla Holla!
Happy Holidays Frosty People!
Te Aroha,
Jilly
Saturday, December 4, 2010
All I want for Christmas is a real good TAN
Hows it going up there USA? Hope all is well and not too chilly in that winter of yours. I’m currently sitting at a free-wiFi booth in the garden place in Hamilton city as I type this. I guess I have lots to fill you in on since I’ve been away for awhile. Since I’ve last spoke, heaps have gone on in this pretty little place. For starters, I had to put rowing on hold, that is until I get a job and am on my feet again. Geez, I can barely afford my rent at the moment, let alone the $1,000 rowing fees. Secondly, I have had 2 interviews at the University gym on campus for the position of an exercise consultant, and they seem pretty keen to hire me. Fingers crossed.
I also have an interview with the NZ Red Cross on Tuesday for the new position of a People Saver Instructor. This role entails going to committed elementary and intermediate schools and giving presentations to the kids about basic first aid and cpr training. This would be another one that I could pursue on the side, which is pretty cool. Thirdly, I found out some interesting facts about my visa. It doesn’t actually expire in July of next year. The initial visa started when I entered the country on September 26th, so the 12-months would begin then. This is definitely a good thing to mention when pursing jobs.
Summer has taken a dump on this country here too. Man it just went from the 60s to hard-out 90s. It’s super hot at the moment. Already experienced my first case of fiery sunburn and mosquito bites. Oh the joys of summer. Lets see… what else have I been up to? Cam took me to the Hamilton Zoo last week, which was mean ! I loved it. The chimpanzees were the coolest, with the giraffes taking a close second place. Cam and I have a series of sweet photos that I’ll have to post in here shortly. Also, took a few beach trips with friends (that’s where the evil sun devil took its hit, haha). Anyways we went to Mount Maunganui and Wainui Beach at Raglan. Think I even have the pronunciation down on the two. Can’t wait to show off my kiwi-swag. Haha.
Other than that, I’m just getting crafty ideas for the holidays. You know my money situation, so please don’t feel offended if you don’t receive but a letter in the post this Christmas! I promise I will make it up to you all. The big city centre Christmas tree is lit up tonight, so excited! Again, I hope all is well back home. I miss you all heaps, especially now that the holiday fever has hit me . All good though. Part of me is floating in the ocean at Wrightsville beach and in the tradewinds of Annapolis at the moment. Sorry, I’m afraid there is no escaping Jill this holiday season. Just wanted to send out a giant nerdy ‘miss you hug’ through the world wide spiderweb.
Let it Shine, Let it Shine, Let it Shine,
Xxxo Jill
I also have an interview with the NZ Red Cross on Tuesday for the new position of a People Saver Instructor. This role entails going to committed elementary and intermediate schools and giving presentations to the kids about basic first aid and cpr training. This would be another one that I could pursue on the side, which is pretty cool. Thirdly, I found out some interesting facts about my visa. It doesn’t actually expire in July of next year. The initial visa started when I entered the country on September 26th, so the 12-months would begin then. This is definitely a good thing to mention when pursing jobs.
Summer has taken a dump on this country here too. Man it just went from the 60s to hard-out 90s. It’s super hot at the moment. Already experienced my first case of fiery sunburn and mosquito bites. Oh the joys of summer. Lets see… what else have I been up to? Cam took me to the Hamilton Zoo last week, which was mean ! I loved it. The chimpanzees were the coolest, with the giraffes taking a close second place. Cam and I have a series of sweet photos that I’ll have to post in here shortly. Also, took a few beach trips with friends (that’s where the evil sun devil took its hit, haha). Anyways we went to Mount Maunganui and Wainui Beach at Raglan. Think I even have the pronunciation down on the two. Can’t wait to show off my kiwi-swag. Haha.
Other than that, I’m just getting crafty ideas for the holidays. You know my money situation, so please don’t feel offended if you don’t receive but a letter in the post this Christmas! I promise I will make it up to you all. The big city centre Christmas tree is lit up tonight, so excited! Again, I hope all is well back home. I miss you all heaps, especially now that the holiday fever has hit me . All good though. Part of me is floating in the ocean at Wrightsville beach and in the tradewinds of Annapolis at the moment. Sorry, I’m afraid there is no escaping Jill this holiday season. Just wanted to send out a giant nerdy ‘miss you hug’ through the world wide spiderweb.
Let it Shine, Let it Shine, Let it Shine,
Xxxo Jill
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