| Since Jan began, Steve's been talking constantly about the residency application for Canada. Apparantly we were supposed to receive an acknowledgment letter, with some sort of info on accessing status details online. I wasn't fazed by his concern, noting that NZ mail is bad at the best of times, with the holidays, we wouldn't see any mail again for at least a month. Well, actually, bills always seem to make their way pretty quickly! Anyway, he just couldn't relax about it, so I told him to call. No matter what option you press (In Australia), they cut you off, pulling any possibility of talking with an immigration officer. Ever positive, I reasoned that was great, the immigration people have more time to dedicate to processing than dealing with eejit Brit expats asking silly questions. He sent off an email and we received a response within 24 hours. It was being sent back! Steve was like a child waiting for a letter from Grandpa the way he checked the mailbox daily. Finally, we got the whole thing back, including the bank cheque. Sydney, Australia are NO longer processing residency applications. Instead it needs to be sent to Sydney, Canada. Its a little frustrating of course, Steve had been speaking with the embassy last year and nothing was mentioned, not even on the website. So while we thought we were one step further, in fact, we were actually no closer at all! Unfortunately, this weekend is another public holiday, there are a lot of random ones here in NZ, so we'll have to wait until later in the week to get it all off. Again. The usual pattern of bad luck continued through the week. Most notable, I finally got the guts together to sack the cleaner that I threw money at because I felt sorry for her. The final straw came after a couple of things got broken, I casually asked about them on our return from the holiday, only to receive a torrid of abusive, drunken text messages. I kept my cool, stayed friendly and reasoned that it would be of mutual benefit if our professional relationship ended. Thus, I began receive daily personal insults. Despite being the 'better man' and ever curteous in my responses, I started to panic that I had yet another unhinged person in my midst, and had images of the plasma screen tv being boiled in a pot on the stove one day. To be honest, I'd like to say I'm pretty hardcore, but in reality, I'm a bit of a softie at heart, so although I seem unfazed, I actually found it quite hurtful. Sometimes I know I can be a bit to blame, if I don't handle things properly, but in this instance, my conscience was completely clear. I had been more than fair, very patient and often turning a blind eye. I tried to call her to arrange to meet, offering her 'closure' on the basis that she seemed unable to let it go. My attempts proved futile. I finally received a telephone call from her, with an apology. She sounded drunk, she admitted to being drunk when she'd text, and she promised she wouldn't text again. I was so happy that she'd taken the time to call, and had the guts to do so. I guess my being calm and friendly throughout really paid off. I'm sticking with an agency now, so I need never get dragged into anyone's problems again. No sooner had that call finished when the Nanny that was arrested text me for help because her partner was cheating on her. It all happened on a day when I felt tired to the core and for lots of different reasons, hadn't been able to sit down all day. Egg's nights have gone a bit awry, so I'm up most of the night, I'm aware that I have an exam breathing down my neck (of which I'm not prepared for at all), and I've got such a busy few months ahead with dates coming out of my arse, that I have little energy for anyone else. The live in Nanny and the part time Nanny are wonderful and I love them both dearly, but they don't get on with each other. Each wanting to 'tattle' on the other. Moons has been a bit off the wall of late, so most of the time, I'm intervening with her behaviour, whilst trying to care for Egg. The plus side of all of this, is that my attention to getting fit is more focused than ever before. Time at the gym, time on the treadmill, is the only time I get to myself, so I relish every second of it. I've enrolled at pilates twice a week, because it makes me feel really good and relaxed. Whatever can give me some time away from shopping, nappies, study, arguments, dinner prep, awkward staff issues, etc is very welcome! I've registered for the 2009 Rotoura half marathon, which happens to be on my birthday. I booked my flights and the hotel and I'm off! Steve was a bit upset, but as he initially poured scorn on the idea of me doing something like that, I decided to eliminate him from what has become 'my thing, for ME.' But its your birthday..Was he response. Well, waking up in a quiet hotel room, doing my thing with just my ipod for company, and returning to my hotel room, with my already made bed, not worrying about making dinner for anyone, not worrying about cleaning up after anyone, going to bed when I want, is quite possibly the best birthday present I could ask for! It also happens to coincide with when my parents are here. Having them critique me all the way around the course doesn't appeal much either, so everyone can just take care of themselves! Before I can begin to look forward to that, I have two major pressing issues. The exam and the pending court case on Feb 11. Yesterday I received the 'jobsheet' from the Officer that I'm taking to court. It was so badly written, most of it doesn't even make any sense, and whilst I don't consider myself a wordsmith, I certainly don't think I would have responded to him in such broken sentances that make no sense at all. It does worry me though, that a police officer is capable of such rather unintelligent babble. Ah well, at least in NZ they're only after tasers and not guns! |