We're moving

After 5 months of house-hunting and relentless assistance from our agent Jane, nakakita rin kami ng bahay na malilipatan. Sabi nga ni Jane, mahirap talagang maghanap ng bahay ng maganda na mura.

In two weeks, we're moving to a quiet street in Totara Vale, North Shore (1km away from our current address). The house was built in mid-80s (medyo luma na) but the owners kept it well. Hindi masyadong malaki yubng bahay pero maraming space sa bakuran para paglaruan ng mga bata.

Kagabi ko lang naisip na dapat pala nagsisimula na kaming mag-impake. We don’t have much time left. Nakapuno ako ng 5 kahon. 10% lang yon ng mga gamit namin. Sa weekend, naglalaba ako ng kurtina at mag-lilinis ng garden. Looking at the checklist from the property manager, marami pa kaming dapat asikasuhin. Wala munang badminton. This moving thing will surely make us sweat and dead tired.

The end of the bridge

Ate Chris finished her bridging course on Friday (she'll get her registration in 2 to 4 weeks). It's been a very good experience for her. She got exposure to resthome and hospital enviroments, had a lot of sleep-deprived days to meet homework deadlines, met a lot of pinoys in her class (she's now very good friends with most of them), experience the different cultures in Auckland, and so much more.

Today she has started applying for job. She's submitted her CV for different nursing areas which she thinks she's prepared to handle. But I advised her against wards with A H1N1. North Shore Hospital is her preferred workplace. Lapit lang kasi sa amin.

Hopefully, job hunting and work permit application would be hassle-free. She misses her kids so much.

Meet the neighbors (episode 3)

On Saturday, we had the opportunity to meet our Meadowood neighbours again (third time). The organizers made this get-together more interesting by turning it into an international food festival. Meron pang bonus, costumes, culture and other stuffs from different countries were showcased.

8 countries were represented. Merong galing India, South Africa, Samoa, Korea, Congo, Russia, New Zealand and the Philippines. Ang pinakabongga, syempre ang Pinas. We’re well represented. Nakita nila ang different sizes, colors and faces of the Filipinos. Meron din mga nagsuot ng costume (di ako kasali, walang kasya sa akin). Maraming pagkain – lumpiang sariwa, adobo, palitaw, paella and (my very own) buko-pandan salad. And we had a big poster that said a lot of info about the Philippines (courtesy of Peachy). Nagulat silang lahat sa population natin – 90M.

Knowing the people in your area is very important. Not only that it makes you feel you belong, it also gives you a sense of security. And who knows, you might develop good friendship with them.

Hard-earned money

Been busy lately so blogging was put aside. Anyway ….

I took Monday and Tuesday off coz Vince was unwell (from cough and asthma).

Tuesday night, may inabot na papel sa akin si Vince. It says “Mum, thanks for taking care of me”. Moments later, may papel na namang inaabot. Pagtingin ko, $5 bill. Kasi hindi daw ako nakapag-work tapos ang dami kong binayaran sa doctor and prescriptrion. Hard-earned money nya yon (earned from me!) kaya I was so touched.

Today, I had Starbucks coffee and muffin for breakfast. Thanks to Vince :)