Settling in to life in New Zealand
Hi Everyone!
It’s been a long time since I updated the website—three months!
Much has changed since then:
Jim started school! Yes, that was a long time coming—we have been thinking about it and embarking on the process for the last year. You may recall this is the semester qualifies Jim to gain acceptance into the actual veterinary program. There are 360 students in his class, and the top 100 will get accepted. Therefore, it is intense and stressful. Jim spends thirty hours per week in the classroom and on average, another thirty hours studying at home. Physics is turning out to be every bit the challenge Jim feared, just as previous students warned. The class is predicated on having had high school level physics as recently as last year for 90% of the students. Jim neither had it last year OR in high school. So that subject definitely gets extra attention, including a tutor. If you’re going to make a run at something, you have to do it all the way, or why bother? So, that’s just what Jim’s doing. He’ll find out at the end of June if he’s one of the 100.
Many of you have asked what Jim (we) would do if he doesn’t get into the program. The answer lies in the next bit of news. We did get permanent residency with no requirements for school or work. That was another process that was a year in the works and extremely time consuming and detail-oriented. So, we can stay in New Zealand as long as we like, no matter what we’re doing or not doing. Since we’ve always had an interest in living outside the U.S., even if only for a few years, we want to stay in New Zealand for some time.
Our last bit of news is somewhat financial. No, our boat has not sold, but be sure and let us know if any of you have an interest! We’ll be sure to give you the family and friends discount ☺. I got a job! This too was not easy. I applied to literally thirty jobs and got in front of ONE employer! Since my career is based on experience and expertise with employment law, most employers were very hesitant about my lack of NZ work experience. I kept saying that if I could just get in front of them, I could get the job. Again, the first employer I met with offered me a job. So, the ego felt good about that at least. Of course, as Murphy’s Law would have it, immediately after the potential employer and I agreed on terms (i.e., pay) two other companies contacted me for face-to-face interviews, just my luck! Oh well… maybe next time. My job will be Senior Employment Relations Advisor.
The downside to the job is it is in Wellington, which we expected. That means Jim and I will live an hour and a half apart Monday through Thursday. However, I will come home each Friday and leave Monday morning for the office. So, we’ll still spend three nights per week together. This is not a big deal to us. Jim is in school until 5 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. On those nights, he takes a 90-minute break for dinner then goes back to studying until 11 p.m. each night.
I already put a deposit on a fully furnished one-bedroom apartment in a great section of downtown. It’s a short walk to the heart of the city and the bus to my office passes my front door. It will take less than 10 minutes to get there, and cost me $ 1 NZD to ride the bus. Like San Francisco, parking is prized in the city so I am very happy my place came with a dedicated parking place.
I start work the first week of April, which is when I’ll move my work clothes (basically, only those) to Wellington. One thing that already interests me about working in another country is the hours. Silicon Valley is known for long hours and not a great balance of work and family. My offer letter clearly states I am to work only from 8:30-5:00 and any overtime must be approved in advance. The kicker is I will be PAID time-and-a-half for that overtime, AND I cannot work more than 4 hours of overtime in a two-week period!!! Wow! Compared to the valley, this is like having a part-time job! This is another reason I feel fine about the drive up to see Jim each Friday. I know I will be there before 7 p.m. and likewise, I can leave Monday morning at 6:45 and be at the office 15 minutes before I start work which is not bad at all.
So, life is still evolving here, but the wheels are in motion for us to get into a routine in the next few months. As someone who normally dreads, and gets bored quickly, with a routine, I have to say I look forward to it, at least for a few years 
March 22nd, 2010 at 3:26 pm
Congrats on the new job! I can hear the excitement in your post. I’m happy for you — and especially the short work week! You won’t know how to act! The hours away from Jim will certainly be put to good use with all of the study time it will take for him. Good luck to you both! Our weather has changed for the better here, so I’m sure yours will be too. Enjoy the mild winter and work on that accent!
March 22nd, 2010 at 4:05 pm
Positive results are always nice, but not nearly as important as just showing up and trying. Keep at it!
Love,
Big D and Little M
March 22nd, 2010 at 4:11 pm
Tiffany,
So glad to here how well you are doing. Glad to see you’re back on the Blog
Your other mother,
Sandi
March 22nd, 2010 at 4:20 pm
Good to hear all the good news! (except for how hard physics is). You two are at it again — dreaming big and doing it. We fully intend to come visit in a year or two, when Ryan can handle the travel a little better. We’ve already looked at flights!
Did you get a webcam yet???
March 22nd, 2010 at 8:46 pm
Congrats, your karmic quota is obviously in order & things are going your way. I enjoyed my visit to Wellington in 97. Do you have access to Taco bell? or Mexican food?
I didn’t hear back from you on meeting mutual friends Rob & Kate aboard AriesTor here in S. Thailand. They left about a month back heading for the Seychelles.
We leave here next week to Bangkok,Hong kong and then SFO to record an album, then the great trek North to Victoria.
Wishing you continued success and a warm winter.
March 22nd, 2010 at 10:20 pm
Wow- Jim to hopefully be a vet and you got a job. Great News and I am sure that Jim will get into the vetinary program. On the home front, I got a job with Microsoft and it is remote (work from home in pajamas-lol) Just came back from Cape Cod where I bought a house and will be relocating in September-Mom is 90 now and needs some assistance as she refuses to go into assisted living. Hope I can take the winters again after 40 years of CA sunshine.
Maybe some day I will visit NZ and no I can not buy your boat…I am looking at getting a stinkpot (fishing boat for Cape Cod bay.
Cheers Brian
March 23rd, 2010 at 7:51 am
Tif and Jim,
We are so happy for you. If anyone can pass, Jimbo, you can!!! Tif, they are so lucky to get you!!! Hey, we have a new baby - Lily - a labradoodle puppy! She is the cutest little thing you have ever seen and is Reddish Carmel in color! I had to get my baby before Ashley has hers so she would have a few moments of notoriety! Ryan is in Costa Rica with Lindsay visiting his best friend from high school. He caught a sailfish yesterday and was so excited. Jason is busy working on his and Ryan’s website, Creditopia. Check it out and comment on it! Gary is working on getting his race car fixed up so he can win again. He loves working on it, got it painted, got him a new race suit, and he’s putting in a “fast engine”.
Love and miss you two,
Boo
March 23rd, 2010 at 9:55 am
Tiffany and Jim,
thanks for keeping us updated on your ongoing adventures. I imagine that it will be good to balance the outgo with some income. we are hauled out at Vuda Pt. for this week and next, then will return to Savusavu. We start our trek to Hawaii then Caliornia in about a month.
March 23rd, 2010 at 11:04 am
Congrats to both of you. It is wonderful to hear things are falling into place.
Keep in touch
Len
March 23rd, 2010 at 1:29 pm
Good to hear from you! you have both been on my mind a lot lately. I’m glad things are going well for you. Here’s to strong studying students. GO Jim; we’re routing for you!
Mike & I are off the Mexico with Pat & Jen on APril 10th. No Kids Can’;t wait! Wel'’ have some margarita’s for you!
~Jina
March 24th, 2010 at 6:45 pm
Jen and Jim,
Thanks for the update, Sue and I were having a chuckle together today talking about cutting the docklines and in turn swallowing the anchor. Congrats on all fronts…. Good to hear you’ve got your heels dug in, sounds like good holding! See you in December, you should have the pubs sorted by then….
March 24th, 2010 at 11:01 pm
Sounds like things are off and going. I’m sorta wishing I was in NZ now instead of OZ, but I can always do that after here, besides the money is fantastic. I should head out there next year assuming my visa is approved (and why wouldn’t it?). You’ll have to let me know which city to live in. Good luck Jim… maybe you should try studying using no bodily movements at all except your eyes and maybe some slight hand twitching. Let all your muscles go lethargic, don’t even speak, so that the only thing functioning is your mind… in essence you will be diverting all energy to your brain super-powering it to understand Physics more fully. I heard about this other physicist that does the same technique and HE’s supposed to be pretty smart.
Let me know when your breaks are… maybe we could co-ordinate a meet here or there.
Ta Ta
Allan
silver47ag@gmail.com
+61 406733688