Share your stories as WHV holder in NZ?

[allune]

dreamnz less than 20 mins, if the site has no errors.

[dreamnz]

I see. additional question po, while filing-up the application form online do I need to prepare the basic requirements such as IELTS result, bank drafts etc.? I'm just a little bit confused whether those are needed while applying online.

[allune]

dreamnz no you don't need them when applying online. You will just attest that you meet minimum requirements.

Better backread the other threads because these have been discussed before. This thread is also for WHV holders already in NZ.

[dreamnz]

Okay. my mistake sorry.

[khaleesi12]

question lang po may nabasa ako na pwede pala i-convert ang WHV into WTR then apply for SMC later on as long as may nahanap ka na permanent job? hindi naman skeptical si employer kung WHV ang hawak mo?

kamusta po ang job market ng IT jan?

[ryell]

Hello guys! Happy new year to all!

It’s been a long time since I had my last post here and now I am back to pay back for all your help through your stories and pieces of advice and nuggets of wisdom back then when I was just like everyone else who was dreaming to come to NZ and now it has become a reality.

Maybe right now while you are starting out to read my piece, first question that is maybe shooting in your mind would be, ’Did you make it a success?” The answer for that question is….

PRAISE THE LORD!

My journey in New Zealand when I first set foot here, just like what many of the members here is not a piece of cake. I knew it beforehand and so I didn’t really expect much that is why after my WHV was approved I didn’t fly right away here. It took me 7 months to labor the preparation. It was 7 months because I decided to earn a dairy farming qualification in the Philippines considering that if I’d pursue my teaching profession for the last 7 years would be like suicidal because of the research I made how to land a teaching job in NZ and unfortunately, I had to hold an NZ teacher registration before anyone could actually teach. As much as I wanted to obtain one, my resources and time wouldn’t permit me so I drew a plan which was dropping off my profession and took a dairy farming short course for 6 months. I thought this would at least help me land a job in NZ since dairy farming is kinda lucrative there and would be better off for me as I would be changing a career. At least I have a certificate to prove that have skills and knowledge about the new industry that I wanted to embrace.

I still remember the day I first set foot here. Everything is still fresh on my mind. It was around in the afternoon when I was on a bus from the airport going to the CBD thinking of where I would be going. I knew nobody. One thing was my concern that moment, where would I sleep on this first night? I did not book any place. The worry even grew deeper when I found out all the backpackers’ inns were fully booked. Hotel? No way. I needed to be scrimpy on my budgeting as my fund was very limited. I remember it was around 45k pesos. You’re right. It was maybe too little but that’s what my family and I could only produce as my allowance for me to settle down here.


The challenge just began. I had no where to sleep.

#tobecontinued

[ModM]

ryell waiting for your part 2 😆

Sent from my SM-G930F using proboards

[ryell]

Chapter 1

Before I actually went out the airport, I spent some time there figuring out where to go because again I knew nobody there. I maybe have friends here but just acquaintances and very uncomfortable if I'd ask them to do a favor now that I am needing their help. Not a good thing to do. Besides, we are not close and not really talking even on social messengers available nowadays how much more in person. Minutes started ticking away until I realised that I was just lurking at the airport for quite a while now. My fear and worries crept in me. I must do something before I get caught by the dark, I thought. I have to look for a wifi connection! Yes, I have to search on the places where I could spend my night on that day and just worry the next day's whereabouts and whatabouts after I get sorted tonight. I just need a place for shelter. I sounded like I was desperate.

And yes, NZ airport has a wifi. I was able to do what I wanted to do but I could not decide where to go. Budget inns were fully booked and though there were some inns that were available but I felt the price per night was not practical for someone like me whose fund was not reliable. And by the way, thanks to the landline phones of the travel booths at the airport because you can call the inns and hotels for inquiry for free. This time, I was not moving up on my plans for the day. The night was coming soon. I was stuck in the airport.

Suddenly, I remembered something. It was actually someone my friend, my close friend this time and she lives in Australia. Actually, she introduced me to a lady on Facebook when this lady had her holiday in Australia. They met in a gathering and my friend talked about me to her when she knew from this lady that she was from NZ. She's a Filipino by the way in her late 30s and single. No hidden agenda for the emphasis.


In haste, I immediately googled her on my FB using my laptop (because my phone was just a call and text kind of phone). I knew that we're not close but we had a couple of conversations and she was responsive anyway compared with the ones I know here and there was a hiatus of our communication. So this one was better off for me. Before I could send a message to her, someone sent me a message. Lo and behold, it was her.

"Are you already here in NZ?" she asked.

I was bit excited because at least she messaged me first and I knew I was not disturbing her at that moment. I told her everything that I just arrived at the airport and I did not have anyone and anywhere to go to yet.

"Well, I am already out of my work now and..." that felt good, I thought; we could meet.
"But I am on way to attend a Bible study though it is in CBD. I wanted to accommodate you in the house but we are all girls and I don't know you really. You know what I mean?" That slammed my face. But I understood her though. " Uh, I could refer you to a family friend,is that okay?"

I was like, hesitant because I didn't know them either. And she understood me too.

"Why don't I join with you first on your Bible study? Then I'll just worry later about where I'll spend my night." I said.
"Are you sure? But how about your stuff?"
"It's alright. I'd just bring them with me. It's just a piece of luggage and a handcarry bag." I eased her. The rest was a discussion on how I could get to the city. She could not pick me up either because she didn't want to be late in the Bible study. So I sorted out how to get to the city centre.

#tobecontinued

[novice]

Napa log-in at post ako sa post mo ryell ! ...Subscribed! ;D

[ModM]

ryell nakaabang ako talaga sa next posts mo. Abangan ang susunod na kabanata ang dating...

Sent from my SM-G930F using proboards

[ryell]

Pasensya na po, busy sa work kaya kailangangang putol-putolin muna hehehe....here we go...

CHAPTER 2

Of course, if you are a stranger in a foreign land and you incredibly set foot on a dream land you ever dream, you become so extremely observant every detail your sight could reach. I noticed that their airport bus is so convenient. There is a place for your luggage and the room is enough for people and for your stuff. Before I settled for a seat, I told the driver where I was going and the point where I wished to be dropped off. He was kind enough to assure me that he would.

A couple of minutes later, the bus moved on smoothly and my eyes were goggles trying to capture and confirm whether I was really in New Zealand. It was just a dream and now it was happening. All you can see is a sparsely bare lands without much high rise buildings along the way. Houses and some buildings were widely spread out and the plants and grass mostly took out much of the space in my left and in my right. They were actually beautiful in my eyes; they are new to me. The traffic was flowing well and there were not many cars zooming off the highways. I kept on reading every road sign I saw and street names, I just didn't want to miss where I wanted to get off. It took less than an hour I guess before I reached my destination.

Buildings were stooping me from above the blue clear skies and people were dashing here and there.I was now standing along the busy street of Queen St. Wow! Lovely. Beautiful. Vibrant. Many people. Many buildings and cars. I was pleased with what I was seeing. One thing I knew in myself, this is it! This is what I wanted.

The beep of my phone snapped me back to the reality. The lady that I was meeting describing me what she was wearing and where she was at the moment as we agreed to meet up and join her in the Bible study first and worry later.Yes, I didnt want to stress myself with things I couldnt resolve yet.

There from a distance after the details of our meeting point, it must be her and she I guess recognized me. I knew it because of her looks and smile. Yes, it was her. There was a short conversation how things were and my trip. After we settled out personal information, she led me to some minutes of walking and finally we arrived at the building where the Bible study was held. It felt good to be with the people of the LORD though. I saw some other Indians but most of them were Filipinos around my age maybe.

I shoved my luggage and handcarry at the corner of the room and proceeded to a vacant seat. I didnt know if the people in the room knew what was going on in me at that very moment. But one thing that was running in my head, they have also their own stories. The pastor was in front and his line grabbed my attention.

"Trust in the Lord your visas! You will be a resident soon! You will find a job if you dont have a job yet! God knows your desire!"

That grabbed my attention. Really. Then a source of the Bible verse was flashed on the screen and that made my day!


Isaiah 41:10.


I felt God was talking to me at that very moment. This was the same verse that appeared on my phone many years back when I faced a seemed-to-be-gigantic challenge in the university.It was very significant in my life.


#tobecontinued

[ModM]

keep it coming ryell

Sent from my SM-G930F using proboards

[ryell]

Chapter 3

Time seemed to fly past. I was just quiet a while ago and now I was talking to people in the room. I was introduced and got to know some people. Their names were like flying saucers, couldn't really get into my head. I felt so overwhelmed. There were some people who wanted to help me look for a place to sleep in that night. So without much delay, we dashed in to the street and one by one surveyed every backpacker place which was in for my budget. One backpacker. Two. Three. Four. Five. They were all fully booked. I did not expect that it would be that most peak or busiest season for backpackers inns. I could not deny that my heart started to grow weary. Goodness! I could not afford to sleep on the street!

I felt a little uncomfortable now knowing that I dragged with me these people I barely knew just to guide me and help me look that haven. Anyway I didn't ask them to do this favor for me. They offered. I consoled myself. Up on the road of Wellesley St near the famous Civic Theatre, we spotted another backpacker. This could be the one. I thought. Immediately, we took off with the elevator because the reception was at a high level of the building. Okay, I thought. Backpackers in general in my mind was not bad after all. It was a clean place, fully carpeted and later I knew that it was a normal thing in New Zealand. Never have I seen a house with no carpet at all. The lounge looked like so comfy with so many info about NZ all around the walls and corners. Brochures and flyers were on a pile under the desk or on top of the tables and even books and magazines too.

For the umpteenth round, I was still not lucky.

'Sorry. We are fully booked today,' said the blonde lady.

With a heavy heart, I slowly walked back to the door out. I glanced at my watch and it was already late in the evening, 8PM but was not dark yet. In fact the sun was still up. This is what summer is in New Zealand anyway.

"Excuse me!" Someone called out. When I looked back to find who owned the voice, it was the same blonde lady, even more lovely with her more shimmering splendid smile.

"Um, someone just canceled his booking tonight but just tonight the bunk is available, would that be fine?"
"Yes!" It was as fast as the bullet train when I replied. I heaved a sigh heavily. Thanks to God, I muttered. I didn't care if I was only here for a night. What mattered to me now was the now and worry the later.

After I was ushered to my room and to my bunk, I changed my clothes to get ready to look for a place where I could grab something for my stomach until I found myself in Avachi, along Queen St. Funny to know that this place is actually known to many people who are from CBD. The place is known for a decent price of meals, fried chicken and fries which they call chips. $ 4 or $5 must be a good price I thought. While I was in front of the display glass trying to decide which one to order from the salesman, voices of two ladies made me turn. Oh, they are Filipinos.

'Dito na lang natin kainin," one lady told her companion then I butted in ' Oo, dito na lang kayo kumain para sabay tayo. ' in a cheerful voice. And that was it all started my night. We became friends in an instant.

I learned from them their different stories and they did mine. One was on a student visa and according to her she had owed nearly a million of pesos just to pursue her New Zealand dream which made me feel lucky that I did not go through her path because I am just a pauper. The other lady was a citizen already working as a seamstress but was on a tourist visa when her kiwi boyfriend invited her long time ago to visit New Zealand.

Over the course of our conversation, I also learned how they struggled when they first came here and how they could exactly relate my worries and fears on things I was not sure of yet especially in looking for a job. I learned from the first lady that she was a teacher back in the Philippines and was an instructor at La Salle University and earned master's degree in a good school in the Philippines, taught in Vietnam but struggling to find a teaching job here in the land called the Middle Earth. She was this time studying TESOL (Teaching English as Second Language to Other Speakers) and trying to give me an idea where to apply as an English teacher, she pointed from where we sat that night the school where she suggested I could try to hand in my job application. I could make out the school from afar but I was not on high hopes knowing that I needed to have an NZ teacher registration before any school would entertain my application. Yes I could apply but probably be declined because I don't have the primary qualification for NZ teachers system. Not my best option this time. I had to degrade myself this time. What I needed was ANY job ASAP to make me survive for my food and house rent PER WEEK. My money left in my pocket was draining soon. I needed to get a job, whatever job that may get me (not me who would get a job) would be a great miracle. My mind was on the conditioning idea that hunting for a job in New Zealand was never smooth, fast and easy. It could take a month, 2 months or 3 months or even half a year to find one. This really freaked me out inside. I wondered if these two ladies really knew what was running on my head.

Soon after, the surroundings got quieter and the night took over that first day of my NZ dream. We bade farewell to each other and we parted ways and I went back to my ever precious nest for the night.

[Erika]

Did you land a job ryell ?

[allune]

Erika excited siya oh.

[wimbee23]

Chapter 4!!!!

[Erika]

allune haha sorry! Chapter 3 was so intense

[ryell]

Thanks guys for the push....hahahahha...here we go...

CHAPTER 4

I must say I had a good sleep. There were about 12 bunk beds in a big room and very multicultural. One was from the UK; there was one from Germany and many more  countries to remember. It was exciting. You got to know different people from different lands. Sometimes I thought I was in a western movie because I was with the white and black people speaking the lingua franca all the time which I am not used to though I love it. hahaha.Non-stop. Who should I speak with in Bisaya or Tagalog anyway in this new world of mine where I barely knew no one?

I managed to prep up myself for the day. Again, I must say backpackers are not bad after all. Even their toilet is not just one or two but maybe 6 not including the shower rooms which are separate. Even more impressive, they were seriously clean and well-designed. For $24/night was even cheaper more than what I got from what I paid. There's a computer for all the guests and it was very helpful as I used it for browsing information about where I would sleep on this coming night. I searched for banks where I could easily open a bank account and also looked for the nearest office where I could apply for my IRD,  the famous tax number for the new settlers. Without it, you cannot find a job quickly as employers would ask you for it. These were the things I needed to get sorted for this day. Time is gold, indeed. I had never felt time as precious as it was not until now. I must have all these job-related requirements by hooked or by crooked .hahaha. I could not afford to waste even a minute of my day in New Zealand. Again, my money was not much; it was not welling up.

As soon as I had figured out where to go, I walked down the streets with all the enthusiasm and went to ASB bank to apply for a bank account. This was what I read on website the highly recommended bank by many maybe because for some reason. Waiting excitedly in queue, finally it was my turn. A Chinese banker entertained me. I could tell in his face profile and the eyes were very Chinese.

"Do you have with you your job contract?" he asked me after I explained to him what I came for. My world shattered. I had the feeling it was going be a rocket science in sorting out these documents. I explained to him that I needed to open a bank account so I could apply for a tax number. Confidently, he explained to me that the policy had just changed for this year. They used to waive it but now it was a compulsory. What else I could do? So I still said thank you for his time.

Of course, I was not stupid. I went to other banks. Maybe it was not the same policy. I went to Kiwi Bank. Patiently, I queued and waited for my turn. I noticed that banks here in NZ were not really as busy as the Philippines'. There were just a few clients. I liked it, I thought and the service seemed to be fast. Then the lady at the counter greeted me with a smile. Yes, thanks to God she was not looking for a job contract. I was confident that I could make the plans I had for the day happen. But towards the end, she asked for my IRD number. I explained to her my status at the moment. She understood me, she said but it was really a requirement for their bank. I became so pissed off. How could you open an IRD as bank's requirement when banks do not let you open your bank account because you do not have the IRD! It was so frustrating. Fine, it was better not to argue. Good for me I was able to keep my cool. I am never such when I find things illogical. Sorry.

It was midday already. Goodness! I almost forgot my lunch. I quickly grabbed my lunch. Scanning all the shops and stalls carefully along the street desperate of a cheap meal. I thought of a burger. Maybe it would do. I did not have the right yet to eat a good meal this time. I needed to be scrooge. Just this time. Generally $12-14/meal was what I saw on the menu board outside cafes. Not this one, telling myself. Some more walk down the street. Until I found him, Mr Mcdonalds. When I was standing in front of the counter, I noticed that their cheapest food was a regular cheese burger around $4 and a bottled water came in to the picture of my extremely meticulous mind. The bottled water too that I saw the other night in Avachi was around $4. Oh my! Now, I myself confirmed that NZ is a very expensive country to live in. I think I went back my way and found myself in the same food stall, Avachi. A lunch box they call it around $5 was practical enough with its piece of chicken and fries, they call it chips. 'Chippy' the famous junkfood in the Philippines would still flash in my mind. I could not move on with the term chips for fries. Haha.

Thanks to the 'chips' and a piece of fried chicken. It had given me at least a little amount of strength to carry out my other concerns of the day. My bed for this night, my second night. Immediately, I went back to the backpacker inn. I asked again the receptionist on duty if there was any vacant bed for tonight. Good thing she was not the same lady I asked last night. She would have been annoyed this time for being stubborn and cheeky. However, there was nothing I could do but dragged out my red luggage, seemed to be worn out now after it had treaded a long travel on the streets since I arrived yesterday. It was checked out time. I had no choice. But still, I didn't go out the premise yet. I stayed in the lounge pretending that I was leaving the place and waiting for a friend maybe to pick me up. I should not leave the place without a direction where to go. I did not have anything with me that could help me but their computer in the receiving area. As soon as the computer was vacant, I took over the throne as if I was the king. I needed it. I needed to browse the net. You know my phone was a 3310 nokia model like; cannot surf of course! So I should grab this chance. Right away, I opened trademe.co.nz the best place  to look for an accommodation, people say. It was not easy. They didn't reply right away. Sometimes the ads had no contact numbers; what you need is you have to sign in for your personal account before you could contact them. Of course, I had one but I didn't know what happened but I  could not access my account. Time was ticking away. I was annoyed instead of getting worried. My trademe account was not cooperative with me. Time was so mean to me. I felt like the day was going to fade away soon. It was getting late in the afternoon. I didn't know what to do If I could not find a place to sleep in for this night again. It was one of the worst cramming moments of my life. I don't want to sleep on the street!

Then I remembered someone.


I needed to open my Facebook. My other account. It was my account for my students and for my colleagues at work back in Indonesia. Yes, the page was loading quickly! Clicked the chat box who was online. No, she was not online. A parent of my student who introduced me to an Indonesian guy who has lived in Auckland for many years now. I actually had their numbers not until a good guy snatched my 'iPhone' away when I was still in the Philippines. That could have been perfect for my situation now. Anyway, we met one Sunday in a church where that parent and I used to go to and he was there that moment visiting from Auckland. But she was offline. Anyway, I still left her a message asking for a contact number of that guy she introduced me. I didn't care if it was too much to ask him to open his house for me for even just one night. I'd just make a convincing explanation how these things turned out. But she was still offline. Though the sun was still up, I know the fact that the hour was getting deeper and soon the surroundings would be quieter. I felt like I was crazy inside trying to wreck the hell out of me.

Oh yes, her son, my student I thought of him all of a sudden! I could maybe ask him to tell his mom to be online on Facebook for me, just an emergency. But he was not online either. But after a while, there was a red mark on my messenger. Someone sent me a message. Hopefully it was her or him. It was my student. He told me he could not reach his mom. Panic attack was all over me. I was restless. I asked his mom's number and I didn't care if I needed to make a call overseas. I badly needed her help. She could be my bridge to that Indonesian man who could maybe help me just for one night, just tonight. Lord God, please have mercy on me! I seriously and literally muttered in the air but her number was out of reach. I dialled again. Still out of coverage. I had maybe almost broken the keypad of my phone for a million times of trying to reach her but to no avail. I gave up. I gave up. Maybe this was it. Maybe this was meant to happen, for me.

[nicknyak]

Nice writing. Can't wait for Chapter 5 ^^

[allune]

ryell your experience with the bank isn't what most experienced here in NZ. Didn't you try to apply when you were still outside NZ?

[ryell]

hi allune...I tried but scrimpy enough here to spend for overseas call.I presumed it was gonna be complicated.

[allune]

ryell online lang naman through ANZ. I didn't open from the PH kasi may sure akong tutuluyan and would be able to get mail from the post agad that would verify my address. Pag within NZ na kasi one needs to comply with the banking rules (verify address, provide ID etc)

Needed na rin yung bank account for IRD so not required ang IRD sa bank.

[jnoel14]

waiting for Chapter 5

[ardent]

ano na nangyari ryell nagka-work ka ba or hindi? haha

[allune]

ardent check mo yung mga old posts niya.

[Cob123]

Hi all,

Sumaglit lang ako to check kung kumusta yong takbo ng WH application this year. Congrats sa mga nakakuha ng slots. Kunting tumbling nalang at makukuha na rin ninyo yong pinakainaasam-asam na visa!

ryell , what an inspiring NZ success story.. Pang MMK yong level ng sa iyo!!!

Update lang sa buhay-buhay ko (baka matagal bago ulit ako makaka-login na naman):

I am back in Malaysia again, working for 9 months now after my 14-month stint in NZ. I still consider my stay in NZ a successful one despite not being able to land a permanent work because the experiences I gained there are PRICELESS. So ang nangyari, after 2-3 months of not finding any long-term work there, pinanindigan ko na yong visa at naging "backpacker" ako. It's a different world, I tell you. It's not all fun for sure (many times you are alone and it can get lonely, etc), but it still's great and memorable. I actually feel privileged to have experienced many different things while I was there. My heart is overwhelmed that even if it was just a brief period in my life, I was able to establish relationships to a lot of people whom many I still communicate until today.

Anyway, I made one of my NZ albums in Facebook public so that if you want to check it out ( Marami akong mga kwento doon. Minsan mala-nobela yong haba ng caption ng ibang pictures, hehe), pwede lang ninyong bisitahin without adding me. Just send me a PM here and I will reply with my FB name.

Best Regards!

[getyus]

Cob123

Pre, musta? Balik ka na dito! Kitakits tayo kila Junan!

[ryell]

Heto na... I am determined to finish it today because in a couple of days, on the 16th of Feb this month, I will be a year old here in NZ and that means my WHV will expire.


Chapter 5

So that's it my second night was saved through a friend of mine from Davao and he was studying at that time here in Auckland. Even if I felt awkward but because he was Christian, I did not think it would matter a lot to him that after a long time I just contacted him because I needed his rescue. I stayed at his place for 2 nights and the rest of the nights were at the house of that nice lady who my friend in OZ met and brought me to the bible study on my first day in NZ until I finally found a flat, a brethren in the church of that bible study group. In between those days, I started sending my applications online to schools hoping that one would might 'mistake'' my CV and would wishfully think I am somehow with caliber despite my no-nz teaching qualification.

To note, I also walked into the school which one of the ladies I met on my dinner hunt for my first night in NZ along Queen St. Sadly, most of the first few questions that marred me to really have a discussion with the schools I applied were : What is your current visa? Do you have NZ qualifications or CELTA (just research it for fyi). So no more expectations. Divert to Plan B. Any job as long as I can survive my needs at the moment but my hope to find a work visa sponsorship under dairy farming is hanging on.

Sunday came. I was excited to go to church hoping that my strength would be renewed and I believed that I would be. This time I set aside first my worries and let my driving force to find a job ASAP would resume the next day, Monday.

It was a long day but it was good to hear God's word to encourage your spirit and never give up that everything happens in God's time. However, I was saddened by the news that I could not find my phone. I lost it. How would my prospect employers contact me then? The simplest and oldest model of a phone was even taken away from me.

Anyway, I just moved on; there was no use to cry over spilt milk and so the next day, Monday was a busy day.Just stayed the whole day at home, went to Sylvia Park to open up a bank account with a letter from a friend that I was staying in his house 'permanently' then went to NZ post processed my IRD and mailed the application. When I got home, I was sending in CVs and checking my email from time to time.  That day had been so productive but my mind was still on the idea of where my phone was.

Then around 4pm....I received an email. Wow! Thanks to God. It sounds like this is it!


It was from the school the first lady I met at Avachi pointed for me just giving me a little push to apply there and try my luck in the ocean. The principal was asking me to come to school ASAP for the next day and the whole 2 weeks they needed someone to relief a class. Faster than the lightning, I flew. Thanks to a flatmate who had a car then for the great favor. Driving from Mt Wellington to CBD is no joke when you have 3 mins left before the school would close down its working hours.

When I got there, I was greeted by the principal at the reception of the school and he was actually about to leave. Without wasting any time, he just handed to me the materials for tomorrow and the next week's. He asked me if I knew these topics and I just answered like a robot yes, yes, and yes! I was not sure what the content was. LOL. He told me that he was ringing me up so many times but he could not reach me and so he decided to email me. Then I explained what happened. Indeed, God is good. He finds ways (sounds like BDO's tagline, not sure He asked me about my IRD and I just told him that I just processed on this day and it wouldn't be too long and it's gonna be there soon.

Thanks to God I got a job for 2 weeks after one week of being in NZ. At least, my funds would be filled up again, $800 for 2 weeks for 4 hrs each is not bad. I just needed money to come in my account.

[ryell]

Chapter 6

Again, time flew past. 2 weeks was just like a wind breeze. Here now and in a moment is gone. Before I left, the principal told me that I might be absorbed. However, i had to wait for 3 weeks because that would be the time he would be able to know if there's any teacher that would be leaving the slot because someone was leaving but not sure yet when exactly the teacher was gonna leave the job. Though I had no more job but at least the words from the principal gave me hope that I could actually steal the position after all those realities I knew and went through with my other applications.

For the 3 weeks of waiting, I busied myself looking for jobs too and emailed the school about the possible vacant position. But there was no luck of finding another job while waiting for the 3 weeks. It was really so laborious because every job that I had to apply my CV had to be tailored as people in NZ and I knew would highly recommend. Well. it makes sense. If you really wanted to get the job, even if it's just a blue collar job, you had to impress the employers with your good CV listing all your skills and qualifications. I did not know how I did it when I applied for the positions of dishwasher, service crew, customer representative, apple picker or strawberries and all, call center, marketer on the street, dairy farm job and the list goes on linking it to my teaching degree and 7 years experience both including my Indonesia. Crazy! It was a pain in my neck spending many hours of making CVs and cover letters. Until such time, 3 weeks were over. I emailed the school and asked about it but the school replied they don't know yet when the teacher is gonna vacate the position.

However, I kept my faith still. Applied here and there. I had my longest walk in my life (not sure) but funny to know that I realized that i actually walked from Mt Wellington to Mt Eden, Onehunga, Smart Rd that I was just swirling around the suburb. Then I saw a Mcdonalds. I was hungry too. I think it was killing two birds in one stone. When I got closer,I saw the ad 'Hiring: Crew' and I inquired. I did apply online.

After one week I got an interview. I felt so close to the finishing line because they said to be interviewed in NZ for a job is aa great privilege and close to being hired. The interviewer was a bit skeptical about my qualifications on how I could be a good crew but what I knew I just answered the questions with all that I could do to impress her. Let's say my language ability being a language teacher for quite sometime now played advantageously. But it didn't work with her. I was declined after a couple of days of waiting for that interview result.

And still, I kept sending in my CVs. 1,2 3,4 weeks now. I got no job since I had that relief teaching job. I felt that the creek in my account was getting dry. I had not received yet my 2 weeks salary because the good IRD had not received neither my IRD application so the school couldn't pay me. Plus, my flatmate was adding insult to the injury of my situation. He had been struggling paying his rent to our landlord. A couple of time he had been told off that his promises to pay 'tomorrow' or that coming day were getting into my landlord's nerve. My flatmate would end up crying in our room. Of course, I am not a heartless human being so I had to talk to him and process him what happened pretending I had no idea behind his tears. That night, I told him I wanted to help him but my money was just $400 and I had no job yet. To cut short the chase, I split it into 2 so he could pay his rent and by the way, he also ate my food budget. Well, I offered my food whenever he would see me eating as a Filipino culture but to eat every meal is being insensitive. As in every meal. He's got the car though that had helped me in so many ways especially when I had to beat the time to get the relief job and the 2 weeks transpo of to and fro though I I was on his way to his work but it was my money for the fuel. Sometimes, I was caught up in fastfood moments that I had to pay for his order because he would implicitly convey that he had no money when I just lent to him the other night my $200 but couldn't say no because again of the favors he had given me. My landlord and I found out that he had kept on changing jobs lately and the promise that he would pay my landlord because he had been awaiting for a pay from his previous was just all a drama. We didn't exactly know what happened to his jobs but he had no money. By the way, his family is here in NZ in the south and I just accompanied him to the citizenship ceremony. It was hilarious that a neophyte like me was being advantaged by him. Sorry for the lack of term. Every day and for the times we were flatmates, he always got my food for free but at first I didn't mind it because maybe it was really a hard time for him at least I could be of help but it was too much. When he got a job and started buying groceries, he never shared his food. Until I left the flat because my landlord asked me to look for another flat because of our rift about our faith points of view. So sad. Though he didn't tell me the real reason but that's what i could only think of the day before he asked me to look for another shelter. But I still thanked the Lord though I was hurt because I was on my rocky journey when needed support and understanding. Not because I do not go to their church, that does not me qualify to live in his house. Good Christian guy! I had no choice but I had to pack all my stuff, but this time not dragging my luggage for a long walk in quest for another home but some good friends I met along the way offered, not really offered, but I pleaded if they could offer their car and drive me to my next home. Lol. Thanks to a friend for her car and to another friend for looking and recommending me to her workmate to share his room with me with no bond fees and all and $75/week flat rent.

[ryell]

Chapter 7

For a week that I had been to a new home, so far, so good. Flatmates were nice and amiable. My transition was not a rocket science as they made it easier for me.

When the day, that I had my last $20 note in my wallet, there then I received my IRD number. By the way, my IRD application by post was lost along the way. I did not know what happened but what I knew the address was right because I copied it from the IRD form and double checked it because I wanted things to be perfect. I called up the call center and told them about my dilemma and they were considerate and helpful to expedite it and so they asked me to send the documents online. I just took a picture and emailed it to them and swoosh! I got it after a couple of days! At the drop of a hat, I informed the school and was able to catch up on the pay date. Indeed, God is the god of perfect timing. It may be a conundrum why things were like a puzzle but He is in control. Well, I got another new life $800 to survive myself until I would snatch a new job and I still have some pennies to pay for the rent and for feeding my mouth. Health is wealth I had to remind myself of. My ex-good flatmate has still owed me some bucks but I could not really stuff down his throat to pay me back. It's not my personality but one thing for sure there would be no more second chance to ask for a favor from me. Finish your business with me first before you get on to the next one. lol

In my second week, it was a hell of a ride because my hard work paid off and let's say God gave up on me being so cheeky and 'stubborn' because I lalways prayed to Him to give me ANY job as long as not a teaching job and that was my reason of moving to NZ. I wanted a new life, forget the traumatic hours of checking the essay, discursive, argumentative, narrative, descriptive writings and other forms of writings in Indonesia and the rigorous paperwork in the Philippines. This time I just wanted to be someone else, a nobody. Forget the glamour in teaching if it there was. I wanted to be free and just chill out in life. And yes it worked, I got a call from an agency of dairy farm jobs. At least my 6-mo. training course in the Philippines as my preparation for a new life worked. It's of use. I was not just wasting my money on something unknown. After a month of being jobless since the last time I had the relief teaching job, I was now on board on a bus going to the North Island, in Ohakune to be exact for a new life and for a dream job. When the sun sets, the work is over unlike the work of a teacher. That's what I thought.

I was asked if I wanted to stay longer on the job because they could process the work visa and that made me elated as it is really my main goal why I accepted the job because there was a chance to get sponsorship as what I heard NZ was/is in shortage of dairy farm workers that even a six-month dairy training course would help you cross the bridge. I was excited that day. Though I never had the idea where to stop in that bus journey. I left at 9am and roughly I arrived at 4pm at the bus stop of this little quiet town called the major producer of carrots in NZ, the Ohakune.