So these were my stash from the airport, all waiting patiently for hungry travelers like me hoping that I'm a tourist and would be checking out the "highlights" of the place. With this much loot, I think I can only make use of the maps. Since I'm staying in West Auckland, it's probably just the Central Auckland map that I'll find useful.
So today I accomplished the 2 most important items needed for a Day 1 job seeker:
1. I got a prepaid sim card (2degrees) so my future employers and my friends can give me a call
2. I opened a bank account at ANZ for my financial needs so I won't have my pocket money just lying around. I just need to wait 3 to 5 working days for my FPOS (atm card) to be delivered here at home.
I attempted to get my IRD (like our TIN) but since I only have my passport with me (passport and overseas drivers license is the basic requirement), then I would have to go and make an appointment at the IRD main office which is at North Shore. The kind folks here even lent me their street map and taught me how to use online resources plus this to find my way around.
I'm fortunate to have a kind host who drove me to the mall - West City Shopping Centre to do all of the above, with his little tyke in tow. We left the house past 10am and were back by noon. He even had the energy to cook sinigang for our lunch (minus the veggies since we already ran out of veggies in the fridge). The meal was perfect as it was a chilly afternoon. I went back in my room to proceed with my online applications. Then click clack clack, heavy rain poured outside. I was freezing again so I had to turn the heater on. I submitted 4 applications, and had the 5th one left hanging. Somehow my IBM account just didn't work correctly.
I rode again with Shane when they picked up Arnie from work. Sun's up by that time and we even saw a rainbow! It was a nice view as we passed through some major roads which I'll try to remember next time (like The Great North Road, the Motorway -- like a high way).
I got more info from Arnie this evening as she reviewed my CV. There are moments when I feel guilty coz they're doing all that they can to help me at the expense of spending time with their daughter. Arnie didn't want me to go through that low point that she experienced when they first arrived. She said to just stick with your goal prior to arriving here coz that's gonna help me stay focused. She even gave me tips on how to organize my applications and how to set daily targets.
Today I finally used Skype Video Call and it was definitely cheaper than making calls. It's great to see my family and I even gave them a tour of our house and a view of the local dairy just across the street (seen from my window).
I need to sleep.
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