Last Day At Work

So my first job in New Zealand since returning from Korea ended on the 20th and I'm no longer gamefully employed by Alliance Group Ltd.

In reflection I can say I'm happy with how the past 12 months have gone. I've learned a lot and meet some nice people along the way. I haven't always liked the bluntness of some people (that comes with working in a freezing works) but I've learned to deal with it.

I do feel that I'm moving on just a little too soon as I was just starting to relax in my role. However, the reality is that I was getting bored with the repetitive nature of my role (an unfortunate byproduct associated with working in a factory) an its hard to support two people and save money on a technican's wage (even in Invercargill).

Alliance has been good to me and I cannot complain about how I was treated (and I wouldn't on my blog even if there was something to complain about). They employed my wife during the season as a laborer and tried to find something more suitable for her when it became obvious that she couldn't handle the physical rigours of the job

I also managed to score some really cheap meet from time-to-time and I'll miss the free smoko-time biscuits and daily quizzes.

However, I won't miss random NMD sampling times, cleaning mountains of glassware and making-up and pouring plate count agar almost every second day.

I guess every job has its pros and cons and my new job won't be any different. In fact, I'm sure my job stress will be much greater as my responsibilities have greatly increased.

Sold!

Scrap my last post.

The house has just been sold. Bugger! Well, better now than if we had just moved in.

So this weekend we head but up to Balclutha to look at places. Really need to nail one house down as we move out of our Ing'll address next Friday.

Things to do....

Oh, had a video chat with my old Andong buddy David last night. Him and his wife are still living in China and David is gonna be a dad in November. Congratulations mate!

New Rental Property

With Wheng and I moving to Balclutha soon the acquisition of rental property to live in has became priority rather quickly. So last weekend we did our best to get a suitable dwelling and below is what we ended up with. 

 

Our new rental place. 

The property is located on the main street through town and only a few blocks from the shops which is great for Wheng. There will be a little traffic noise but nothing too bad as the trucks are meant to take the bypass route around town.

It has 2 bedrooms and a open plan kitchen, dining and lounge area. To my liking th garage has a auto door and internal access. The interior is a little dated but the house itself is really tidy and the gardens are very low maintenance. Weekly rent is $220.

Only one problem.... the house is currently on the market. Shit!

So why did we accept to move in? Well, decent rental properties in Balclutha aren't exactly everywhere and the options we have are very limited. We viewed another potential property on the same day which looked great on the internet, but upon inspection the tenant had basically trashed the place. How on earth the Real Estate Agent expected us or anyone else to sign up to live in such a place was ridiculous.

Another house, a 3 bedroom place, looked good but won't be available early enough for us.

On the plus side the house we got has been on the market since October last year with little movement and by law the owner is required to give us 6 weeks notice befor he can kick us out. Further, with a regular income coming in he/she might have a change of heart.

Time will tell.

 

Sideline Frustrations

Yesterday the first round of soccer games in the Southland Premirer League finished and I pleased to say that our team, Southend United, is on the top of the table. Four wins from five games is a mighty fine start, tainted only a little with yesterday's draw against a resilient Waihopai team.

Personally, I've enjoyed the mid-week training sessions that have undoubtedly improved my skills, speed and overall fitness. However, after getting no game time on the field yesterday I'm a little annoyed with my coach who decided to put himself on the field before me. Further, check out how much game time I've had over the past 5 weeks. 

Game 1 Vs Thistle  - started, 60 minutes
Game 2 Vs Queens Park - last 15 minutes
Game 3 Vs Gore Wanders - last 5 minutes
Game 4 vs  Old Boys - 20 minutes
Game 5 Vs Waihopai - 0 minutes

Now admittedly I haven't been playing at my best as I've been struggling to fight off head colds and flu's, but I shelled out $160 in club fees to play soccer and I turn up to more trainings than most people do.

I was given lots of game time in the pre-season tournament but now it seems several other players have moved in front of me. Fair enough. These players are skillful and I'll always support them and the team, but when the coach demands that I train twice a week and yet still doesn't put me on the field, well then maybe it's time I think about myself for once.

I only have 2 weekends left in Invercargill and all I want some game time so the solution is simple. I played 30 minutes with my old social team yesterday and I loved it, so now its time to withdraw from the Premier Squad and start enjoying my football again. No more bench warming for me.

A New Job, A New Town

Kinda ironic since my last post was all about getting my money from my current employer but yes, I've decided it's time to move on and tackle new challenges.

A few weeks ago I had a job interview with Silver Fern Farms at the Finegand Plant, near Balclutha. The position I applied for was as a Laboratory Manager.

The lab conducts microbiological, chemical and environmental testing services for various southern Silver Fern Farms Plants and external clients.

Well, I must have done a good job in the interview as they offered  me the position a few days later. After 3 days of negotiations I accepted their offer of employment and begin on June 3rd.

So last Monday I handled in my notice at work and my final day at Alliance will be on May 17th. My boss has been really supportive with my decision and so have most of the other people I work with. I've always wanted to get back into management but the speed at which it's happened has been a bit of a shock to my wife and I.

So over the next four weeks we will be busy packing our contents and looking for a suitable rental property in Balclutha. We have a Real Estate Agent on the case and maybe a suitable house already.

Oh yes, and even thou Balclutha isn't a big town it still has a Warehouse, Subway and a Football Club that plays in Dunedin's top league.

Gordie Gets Married

A huge day for my best man and old buddy Gordie, who got married to his lovely lady Christina a few days ago in El Nido, Palawan, Philippines. 

Wish we could be there to celebrate with everyone but it'll have to wait for a while.

Love you guys.

 

A Pay Increase!

Went I first accepted my job here in Invercargill I was really shocked at how low my salary was but I needed a job, and some stability, before my wife Rowena came to New Zeland to live so I took it regardless. I knew I was getting paid significantly less than markets rates but at the time it was more important to have at least one regular income coming in.

Then last December, 5 months after I started work, all salary staff received a 1% pay increase which is a tiny amount but not unexpected as the company had a shocking previous season financially.

Also late last year I became a LAS Signatory and Associate NMD Trainer/Sampler which was the result of some serious study, some of which was done in my own time. According to my boss I should have received some kind of pay increase for becoming a signatory but nothing eventuated.

So I decided to discuss the issue directly with the Systems Manager at work - on three separate occasions. My persistence paid off when last week I was informed that I'd be receiving, along with two other tenchincans, a very good pay increase in acknowledgement of our efforts and increased work-loads.

Excellent! See, nagging does work!