Ello there ! Been a while, yeah, backpackers life is a busy life ;-). I discovered again that there's always a reason for indecisiveness, and it turned out positive that I didn't move to another hostel. Tina and Lotte, the two German girls I met decided to book another week in ACB if I would do that as well, so I booked myself in their room for a week. And we have a nice group to hang out with, with another German girl, a Danish girl, a Dutch girl and whoever we meet.

I've been promoting Stray a bit, so about 5 people booked their Stray pass using my Straymate discount code. I just thought it would give me some discount on t-shirts or something like that. So it was kinda surprise when I received a 100 NZD giftvoucher to use at amazon.com. Wow ! Guess I'm gonna wait till I have anough credits to buy myself an All Blacks team jersey ! After all, the All Blacks won their game against the Wallabies !

I had my meeting with the recruitment agent on Tuesday, bought some decent trousers, and 8 dollar shoes at the Warehouse. The meeting went well, just good to know I'm able to do an interview in English. She already had a job in mind, clinical psychologist in Taupo. Mmm, well, I already know I can't register as a psychologist in NZ (done my homework back home), and I would prefer a social work related job. More experienced and confident in that. She got back to me next day, and I had to explain that I couldn't register again. Looked like she was a bit disappointed... I scanned all my certificates and emailed them, but haven't heard back. I mentioned my interest in a position at CYF (NZ Bureau Jeugdzorg), and she didn't really understand. Apparently that's not a "high standard"job...well...I'm not into high standard jobs, so I have been writing application letters to CYF last week.

The Auckland library is the place where we all spend some time...free internet, books about writing resumes and coverletters. And you can plug in your laptop to be able to concentrate on writing letters. That's pretty hard in the hostel. And they have a newspaper room where you check the vacancies in all the regional papers for free.

On Wednesday I've been to a stand-up comedy bar in Queenstreet. I met a Dutch guy on Nieuwzeelandforum.nl who lives in Auckland, and he invited me to join him and a couple of friends and colleagues. Pretty funny, I would never meet up like that back home, but it was a really cool, very Kiwi stylie comedy night, and Johan appeared to be a very nice guy, and I networked with some of his friends as well. It's all bout networking !!!!

On Thursday our ACB girls gang took the ferry to Rangitoto Island for a great day of hiking on the youngest (just 600 years old) vulcano in NZ. We were very lucky with the weather, and we enjoyed our walk up the summit (great views !!!) . The lava caves were really great as well. It was free pizza night in the Globe bar, and free beer for us as well, because one guy that works there really likes Tina, haha !

Yesterday I've just been writing application letters again, pfew, it's a real day time job doing that !!! We went to Skycity Cinema at night, probably for the worst movie ever, "Tropical Thunder"with Ben Stiller. Just a very weird movie.....

And tonight it's rugby night ! For just 10 bucks we can see Auckland play against Wellington in Eden Park stadium. Pretty keen to do that, and we have a big group going there. We're all gonna have late lunch in the kitchen at 4 pm, and we'll take a free bus to the stadium at 5. When in NZ you better attend a real rugby game ey !

So yeah, I'm enjoying myself. Just have to get into a proper day rhythm again, and should start runnign or something again. Still not a lot of appetite, so lost some weight (which ain't that bad haha). And hiking and the stunning views from Rangitoto Island made me realize I really want to stay in NZ. Yes, I have to confess: I'm seriously in love !!!!! With New Zealand that is.

Might buy my Stray pass next week, and hop on a bus next weekend. En ja, wie weet op jeweetwelwiens bus haha, ik denk dat ie hier woensdag aankomt. Eerst maar eens afwachten of ik wel wat van hem hoor. Haha, ik denk altijd in worst case scenarios, en dat is dat ik niks van hem hoor, en dat we elkaar lekker gaan ontlopen. Kan mezelf natuurlijk ook gewoon op zijn bus laten boeken…. Ach, het is gewoon best spannend maar ook leuk om iemand na een jaar weer te zien. En het zou leuk zijn als dat voor hem hetzelfde is.

So, gonna be around Auckland for another week I guess. Will keep u updated ! Oh, and I really like the messages you sent. You can subscribe on the site as well, so you'll get an email if I post a new blog.Love ya all ! Grtz, Marlieke