ipod was good purchase

I have come to realize that the purchase of my ipod, pretty much the day before I left, was one of the best decisions of my life. Seriously. It has kept me company while all by my lonesome; whether it was on a bus, ferry or train, or at a stranger's home, walking in a new city, or driving throughout undiscovered terrain, my ipod has been a constant presence. And a positive one. My music reminds me of so many people that I love. So, if I miss someone, I can just play a song that reminds me of them, and it is like they are there with me. So here are some of your songs:

Wannabe- Cristina Emigh. She will always be the missing Spice Girl to me: Cougar Spice.

Down at the River to Pray- Rebekah O'Brien. She went through a stage of always playing this in my car.

At Last- Ruby Soho. For our 4 years as roommates, almost on a daily basis, I would serenade her with this classic tune, but no where near as magical as Ms. James.

Don't Stop Believin'- Mollies. I wish I had the Newsies soundtrack because that would do the trick as well.

Anything by Bruce Springsteen: My mom. Everytime I would play "Name that Tune" with her (with whatever was on the car radio), she would always guess Bruce Springsteen. Even if it was a female singer. EXCEPT for when it actually WAS the Boss, and she guessed Nirvana. Oh Mom.

Don't Stop Me Now- Austin Benedict and that crazy leg of his.

Crazy (Gnarls)- Nina. Too many times would we be cruisin Siloam with this tune blaring. We were so gansta.

Queen/Mr. Taylor/Bobby Darin- The Pops. Some of his favorites are mine as well. What can I say? Great music never fades.

Holiday for Real- Master Shaff.

Moulin Rouge Soundtrack- Laurel/Kunta/Jill. On countless occasions, I have belted many a song from this album with these people. Goodtimes.

Dirt off Your Shoulder- Jill, you get this one too. And Boy. Actually, there are a few from that road trip that do the trick.

There are many more songs that remind me of lots of you, and I will post more throughout my year here.

* * *

I have a job. My kiwi family in Dunedin told me about it. They work for the branch there, and they told me that the Wellington/Hutt area is in desperate need for people. I looked into it, applied, was interviewed and basically started a few days later (after a visit to where I would be working and receiving references and a police check).

I work for a company called IDEA Services. Basically, I work with people with intellectual (and some physical) disabilities in their homes. My position is called a Community Support Worker. The role of IDEA and CSWs to provide support to service users in their homes, whatever that support may look like. The home that I am going to be working at is a really special house. The main house is home to 5 different service users, and 4 of them are very high needs. 2 use wheelchairs and they all have a wide range of different medical problems and intellectual disabilities. While 1, Maria, is very independent. Then, there are 4 flats in front of the house that house 7 independent service users. I have met three of them, and they are all very nice and love to laugh. Even though I have only spent about 10 hours in the house, I know that I am going to love this job. The people I work with are great, but whats even better, is that the service users are amazing. Now, I know that its going to be very challenging, but I look forward to it. I am ready to be stretched. I have had some experience with children with disabilities, but never adults (and that is who IDEA Services works with). Last night, my first official day, went really well. I am shadowing the main CSW at the house, while doing on-site training. There were some things I was a bit nervous about, but once I did them, no problems. Now, I know it won't always be like this, but it was nice to have a first day that went smoothly, and left feeling, "You know, I think I could do this."

And I think IDEA really likes me. Yesterday, I went to the main office to fill out paperwork, and the lady who hired me, already offered to support me in getting a Work Visa so I could stay longer. And mind you, I hadn't even worked a shift yet. I guess they really ARE desperate!

Still looking for a place to live. I have a few options, but they arent very good. They are with kids 5 years younger than me, in dingy flats, in not nice areas. OR, they are too expensive. But, I am not worried. Something will come along that is right for me. And hopefully soon. I have been staying with this family for a week now, and I don't want to overstay my welcome (they were the family I stayed with when I first visited Welly. Really, really nice).

I found a church. Andrew, the dad of the family I am staying with (the Bollens), is the associate pastor at a church in Karori (a suburb of Wellington). I visited this past weekend, and liked it. I am going to help out with the Halloween party tomorrow (yes, tomorrow. Remember, I am in the future). So, maybe I will make some friends, and not just hangout with my ipod anymore.

love from nz,
julie

kia ora

so, its been a really long time since i wrote, and this is just going to be a quick little ditty.

right now i am in wanaka. its really beautiful, like the rest of new zealand. its in the south island. i am staying in a youth hostel and am sharing a room with a nice japanese girl. i have been in the south island for about 3 weeks? i think. and i leave here next thursday to head back to wellington for a job interview! with a company called idea services. i would be a community support worker, assisting people with intellectual and physical disabilities, in their group home. mainly with getting them where they need to go, making sure they keep their rooms neat (no comment parents!) and personal hygiene is practiced. also, i will be spending the nights a few days a week, so that entails dinner and breakfast, and making sure everyone goes to bed and to be there at night if it is needed.

i am really really good. about a week and a half ago, i was in queenstown and met up with my family friends, the Fores, and it was great to spend time with them! we had a blast, chilling in q town, doing the shotover jet boat ride, going up the gondola, and riding down on the luge. it was so great to see familiar faces! i even stayed with them in their hotel.

then, i had an issue. with my eye. long story short, in the matter of 4 days, I saw 4 different doctors, in 2 cities (the queenstown GP told me to go to Dunedin, and see the specialist there), where the put countless drops in my eyes. They poked and prodded my eye, until they found out that i have 2 ulcers and 2 abrasions on my left eye. awesome. but, the good part was the I got to so back to Dunedin, and see my kiwi family. I met them through couchsurfing, and they are seriously my second family now. they are the greatest. i have stayed with them for 12 days, and i loved every minute of it. Their names are Debbie and Hamish Jones. And they have a 17 year old son, who is basically my little brother over here. Basically, they are the greatest. i will tell you more about them when I have more time to write.

This is it for now. I am well, and still loving NZ. Oh yeah, I rented a car today! And i have been having a blast driving on the left. And just really enjoying the freedom to go where I want, when I want, and the pace I want. I dont have to follow the timetables of the buses for the next few days, and that is really nice.

Sending my love from Wanaka.

julie