New Beginnings, week 2

Did I mention we'd moved to Wellington?!

Despite the apparent slow start to life up here, things are already getting moving. I guess my first week I was enveloped in the all-consuming world of job hunting. Jees I hate that experience, but I think it's because I'm impatient.

Some people spend weeks, even months waiting for something to come along; we were a bit more lucky. El had done all she could do - register with temping agencies, hand CV's into cafes, and of course register with the Interpreter agency who would book her for jobs sign language interpreting.

Meanwhile I was hanging back, wanting to find my way to some work which would excite and sate my interests. I had taken on a couple of little projects - one with a friend from the south island to set up an enterprise on the coast, and the other to help with comms for a lady running for council in Wellington - so I was hoping to give some time to these before throwing myself into 12 hour bar shifts again to bring in the dollars.

I was also lucky enough to get a last minute opening for a volunteer ranger role at the Karori Sanctuary (link here), which would be a privilege to be involved in. The group interview turned out better than expected, and I've been invited to work as an educational interpreter/guide part-time in the sanctuary - so I get to educate the youngsters as well as spend time within the fence! Hurrah. Just waiting to hear a little more on rates & hours, but it looks like it could keep me busy for 1.5 days a week.

So that was Thursday last week, but then it didn't stop there. I had also been invited to, and become active on a website called Intersect - a network for 'Purposeful Young Professionals'. I guess I fall into that group, just about! Still, I'd been scouting around, and ended up making contact with a guy who has a website business, but is also a 350.org trustee. It seems I could pick up a little project management work with him to pay some bills, as well as help fundraise for 350 in preparation for the big 10/10/10 push.

It also seems likely I could pick up some event work behind the bar for a little extra pocket money, thanks to signing up to a temp agency this morning.

So, it's all coming together in Wellington. I would say slowly but surely, but really - lets be honest - 10 days isn't all that slow. Impatient? Yup, but it gets things moving.

All I have to do now is find time to go out and take some snaps of Wellington to build my skills and experience in urban photorgaphy, teach myself picture framing, do an evening/weekend workshop on car mechanics, keep going on those two volunteer projects, pick a team for hockey, get my passport application in, research a trip to Kapiti Island, plan a hike on the Tongariro Crossing circuit, and attend at least one or two 'Wellington On A Plate' events. And then I'll be up to speed.

What a different pace of life to planting trees and cruising around the West Coast's natural surrounds.

Oh and I completely forgot to mention we have a new motor - as of a couple of months back now. He was the sturdy steed which carried us to the north island, but here's a little piccy of our wagon - a '96 Mitsubishi Legnum. "George" as El thinks he looks a bit like George Clooney - sleek, silver and a little bit old :-)