Early Auckland

View from Browns Bay beach looking out to Rangitoto Island

It's exactly four weeks (to the day) since I accepted the job. It's been a whirlwind of paperwork, uncertainty and stress. So, not the most enjoyable time.

I've lived just under a week in my new place and that holiday feeling is starting to wear off (and I expect it to fully disappear once I start work next week). My cat loves having me back. He saw the suitcases the first day and clicked that I was here to stay for a while. I'm not fully unpacked as I don't yet have a functional kitchen (or any kitchen at all). I thought packing up was hard enough but I'm too tired to do anything much. Although, this time I have way less stuff than any of my previous moves within Christchurch.

On Monday I paid a visit to the careers centre in Greenlane to go through the pre employment screening protocol, hand in some documents, fill in yet more forms, finalise some details, etc etc = HASSLE. And it took all afternoon.

Tuesday, I set out my furniture as I want it arranged and gave the upstairs bathroom an intensive scrub from top to bottom. About 4:30 I decided to go for a walk down to the beach (which is only 15 mins away) and that was lovely with the low sun casting long shadows. Children were playing, dogs were running free and I went barefoot on the sand and in the sea. I went to Bible study with David. Settling in will not be easy.

Wednesday, after another huge sleep-in Mum and I dined at a French cafe. We furnished the pantry with groceries for me to make one of my curries.

Thursday, it rained all last night and most of today. I had left a couple of books on the table outside to air out but when I remembered them, I found them utterly sodden and had to quite literally squeeze the water out of them. Don't know if they'll survive. Thanks to Farmers I now have a new pair of sunnies (as I had lost mine in the move) and new blue socks -just because.

Today, Friday, I intend to write some emails and answers for Bible study but I may end up updating this thing instead (hopefully as well).

Tomorrow I plan to get into the garden more, that is, if the rain holds off. Possibly might hope to visit the farmers market too.

Spring is in the air and though it's not so eagerly anticipated nor heralded to quite the same degree there are signs of blue skies ahead. It may rain with monotonous regularity but they're sun showers not dismal grey seemingly-never-ending damp clouds. The song of the Tui is never far away and sounds even clearer after a fresh downpour. I've seen many a monarch butterfly flitting about on the buffetous breeze. And flowers, oh flowers. The first thing I did was pick a bunch of fresias fresh from the garden. I most sincerely miss having a garden.