TOTAL Freedom

Today I am COMPLETELY free!

I have a  list of projects I could choose to work on (puzzling, poking holes in an old hose to make a drip line, painting and sealing Dave’s valentine  box,  reading, etc, etc), however I don’t really feel like doing any for those projects. J  Not a one of them NEEDS to be done today… tomorrow…. or even next week!  Ha, all of those projects have  been around (plus one or two more) for a few days  anyway (hello, valentine’s was 2 weeks ago!).  So what makes me EXTRA FREE today?

 On 16 February (Tuesday), 2 weeks and a day ago, my passport was returned from Immigration New Zealand (ImmNZ).  In it was not the 1+ year work permit for which I had been.  Instead, I had a 4 month permit!  Whoa, wait, what?  4 months!  I’m not leaving in June!  Turns out ImmNZ want a copy of my United States police certificate.  Once they receive the certificate, therefore verifying that I am of good enough character to be in their country,  ImmNZ will extend my work permit to Nov 2011.  I plan to apply for residency by January 2011 – when I’ll have to obtain ANOTHER copy of my police certificate!

On 18 February (Thursday) I mailed my police record request to FBI headquarters.  I had filled out the request, included a set of fingerprints (taken by a Thames constable on an official NZ police fingerprint sheet), and completed a credit card form for the US$18 fee (fortunately I still have American debit/credit cards ;).  I also took the liberty of including a copy of my passport, certified by a court clerk.  I’m watching my debit card transactions to find when the FBI will have actually received AND begun processing my request.  The FBI website tells me it can take 8 weeks to process the request….. good thing I have 13 weeks!  That gives me 5 weeks leeway for ImmNZ to process my new work permit.  Thankfully, ImmNZ isn’t charging me an additional processing fee!!! 

So – again….. why am I EXTRA FEE today? 

Well….because I’m employed!!!!!!!  Yep!  The day I received my work permit, I started looking for a job. ( I didn’t dare look for work before I was legally employable; I knew I would just disappoint myself when I found the perfect field/lab technician position being advertised and I couldn’t apply for it).  2 weeks later (to the day), I had dinner and went to bed knowing that I was an employed person! :-D   That means, that not only am I free to NOT look for a job today – I am free to NOT WORRY about getting a job!!!!!!!  WOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOO

My first day employed – and I don’t have to work! How awesome is that?

What is my job?  When DO I work?  This Thursday (tomorrow) and Friday night will be my first training days at Rocco.  Rocco is a tapas and wine bar that opened last year.  I’ve been wanting to visit the restaurant for over a year – but I never have the money.  Since I’ve been back in town, every time we walk past the old house (with fantastic outdoor seating and landscaping) I tell Dave that “when I get a job, we’re going to eat there”.  Ha.  Now I’ll be working there! LOL.

However, Rocco will probably not be my main serving location.  The owner of Rocco is opening a new pub in Town.  It will be located in the historical Brian Boru hotel; along with a small art gallery (apparently selling very expensive paintings by a famous guy I don’t know!).  “Brew” sounds to be niching into a sophisticated, yet simple, café with fresh (mostly local or handmade) food.  But, I’ll let you know when I actually see the place.  I believe they are opening the doors next Friday (12 March).  Brew will retain the old pubs liquor license, creating a venue for dinners and shows.  Saturday (13 March), three New Zealand comedians will be performing at Brew – dinner optional, free beer tastings!  I’m very excited to be included in the team that will be working at Brew!