Our house in the middle of (Havelock) street

I'm now in the library. Libre ang internet usage dito, sa labas NZ$4/hr.

Our house is in the middle of Havelock Ave. in Forrest Hill. We're actually in North Shore. This is north of the central business district (CBD). May mga mfg companies na malapit but if you're work is in finance or IT, dapat sa CBD ang destination mo.

Sa baba kami nakatira, sa taas naman si landlord. The house is already furnished when we arrived. With the help of friends and friends of friends, Henry was able to make a home for us. Merong nagdonate ng pots, sofa, beds, linens and a lot more. May nagpahiram din ng TV. Washer, drier, heater (yes, you need it here) and dehumidifier (unknown to me until we moved here) na lang ang binili ni dear husband.

Across our house is an asian store kaya di masyadong mahirap kung maubusan ng pagkain. Earlier, I went to the primary school to enroll Vince. It's 12 minutes walk from where we stay. Sa Tuesday sya magsisimulang pumasok. He'll go to the year 2 class.

I'll start looking for work tomorrow.

Auckland at last!

We're here in Auckland, at last! Arrived here on May 20 via Cathay Pacific. Except for Shannen's ear problem during landings, wala naman kaming naging problem. Mga 1pm na kami nakalabas ng airport but it was really cold in the parking lot (17degrees).

On our first night here, talagang nag-chill ako sa lamig. We had to turnon the heater. I must admit that I underestimated the temperature down here. Di pala kaya ng powers ko.

The 2-bedroom flat we are renting in nice (newly renovated) but a little small for us (ako, Henry, MIL and 2 kids). We pay $310/week to the kiwi landlord. Dapat $290 lang pero pinadagdagan sa amin nang ipaalam ni Henry that MIL is staying with us too.

Last Sunday, my friend Len invited us to her place for a dinner. Uso yon dito. Dapat nakapagdala kami ng pagkain but because we just arrived, next time na lang ako babawi.

By the way, here are my phone numbers - +64 9 4102524 (res) and +64211744990 (mobile). Contact me if you have time... pls.


PS: medyo malayo ang internet cafe dito kaya madalang pa rin akong makakapag-post.

Last day @ work

Although the effectivity of my resignation is on May 12, I am at work today for the final turnover. Di gaya ng dati, nandito lang ako ngayon sa isang sulok at nagtya-tyaga sa isang super lumang pc. Iba na ngayon ang nagmamay-ari ng mga dati kong pribilehiyo. Nakakapanibago...

Wala na rin yung ever reliable kong si YUMMY (my car). Kinuha na sya ng bago nyang boss. Buti na lang pinahiram ako ni Janjing (kuya ni Henry) ng kotse nya.

By the way, I may not be able to post here in my blog for sometime. Wala pa kasi kaming pc sa Auckland. Inuna ni Henry ang pagbili ng mga mas kailangang gamit. Mami-miss ko ang blogging at ang mga blogkada ko. Anyway, tempo lang naman yon, magkikita-kits pa rin tayo. bye for now.....

Calorie Expenditure

Maiba naman ako. Usapan pang-kalusugan naman tayo. Nasa ibaba ang calorie expenditure per hr para sa iba-ibang activities. Ito ay nakabase sa body weight na 50kgs.

Badminton.................... 300cals
Baseball..................... 225
Basketball................... 415
Basketball - Competitive... 445
Boxing........................ 455
Circuit Training............. 380
Cycling @ 12mph............ 390
Racing...................... 510
Dancing.................... 295
Field Hockey............... 405
Football..................... 400
Golf......................... 260
Horse Riding............... 275
Rowing Crew................ 660
Running @ 6.5mph.......... 480
Running @ 10mph........... 690
Skating (inline)........... 285
Skiing (piste)............. 335
Squash..................... 580
Swimming - slow............ 260
Swimming - fast laps....... 445
Tennis - social.............. 340
Weight Training............ 395
Walking 5kph............... 220

Note: Remember that these are only guidelines. Your lean muscle percentage, skill and fittness level will alter your expenditure

Visitor's Visa for MIL - Final Chapter

The end justifies the means.
- Machiavelli

After weeks of getting tensed and all, MIL is finally permitted to travel to NZ for 59 days. Her visitor's visa was released this morning. Yipeee!!! May makakatulong na ako sa pag-i-istima sa mga bata sa trip namin. Aba, mahirap din bumiyahe ng may bitbit na 2 makukulit na bata tapos may iintindihin pang mga bagahe.

Tutpeyst

Noong December ko pa nabili tong tutpeyst (50ml) na 'to. Gamit ko to sa office. Tinitipid-tipid ko ang kuha kasi mahigit isang linggo ko pa syang gagamitin. Tuwing magse-sepilyo ko, kulang na lang pasagasaan ko sa pison para mapiga ang laman. Di bale, ilang tulog na lang, retired na sya.

The doctor is in

24 days na ngayon si Henry sa Auckland. So far, marami nang nangyari sa buhay nya. Nakapagbakasyon na sya sa Matarangi, may work na rin sya (since last week), nakahanap na ng bahay na lilipatan at, higit sa lahat, nasubukan na nyang magpakonsulta sa doktor. His eye got inflamed so he went to see a doctor yesterday. It was 'bloody' expensive! Since di pa sya PR, he paid full for the consultation fee and prescription. Tumataginting na $65 ang bayad kay doc at $38 naman para sa antibiotic and eye ointment. Almost isang araw na sweldo na yon ni Henry.

Nagbilin si Henry na magdala daw ako ng mga OTC medicines (biogesic, imodium, mefenamic acid, etc.) Kadalasan kasi ay kailangan ng reseta bago makabili doon ng gamot. For my maintenance meds, I'll probably bring 3 months supply.