Monday- I was in Ham. My sister in law and I were looking after her butchery, while my brother was going to Auck to get stuff. They were really good to me, especially when they were genuinely concerned about my wellbeing when I moved out. Ken kept asking me about the new place and told me to get enough meat for the whole week. I did in the end, got a few sirloin steaks, two scotch steaks, a tray of chicken patties, and a tray of kumara croquettes. I took the bus that night.
Tuesday- a frustrating day. The people down stairs weren't at work, so I had the whole place to myself. I had plans to clean the room (which was still a mess), go to the australian consulate, and probably go to uni. None of it was done that day, while nothing was achieved to great success. I was angry at myself for feeling that way. But in the end, I did go help out at my uncle's shop as he was about to close the shop. It was a complete waste of time. The day I mean, not the time I was at my uncle's shop.
That night my sister's friend R came to our room because he wanted to plan for the trip with her. They did everything and it ended up that everyone has to chip in around $300 each, double the amount we initially thought.
Wednesday- we went to see the university because K wanted to pay off out student fees. But the line was too long, so we didn't do it. Then we went to the consulate, but they were closed on Wednesday afternoons. For the rest of the day, we traveled to Meadowlands to get my cousin Kem's id photos taken, and then got our bank addresses changed, and the statements. After dropping my cousin off at his place, my sister and I got to this hardware store and ordered this five shelf storage. It was on special and looked reasonably good. Home we got to after that.
Thursday- It was tiring. In the morning I got to the city late for my cousin. Once arrived, we walked to the consulate. I went inside and there was this machine that you press to a number, to tell you the order in which they will see you. I remember it was 16 for us. That morning it was really quick, the queue I mean. I presented to the lady before the class window of the applications for my sister and I. In the end, the applications weren't completed to the standard that they require so we departed. I did learn that they only need two items, financial evidence of how you can support yourself and also the the drawback, which to show either school or work evidence.
So school was my next destination, being that I had official papers from them. I went to the student help centre asking for some paper, which the front desk lady told me I have to apply for it. OH, and they charge $30 for the application. The worst thing of it is that they require two to four working days to process it. I was really dazed because I really needed it for the afternoon appointment with the consulate.
I phoned my sister for advice, but rather I asked her to come to the uni. I did pay for my official paper and when my sister arrived she did hers too. We walked around and eventually got to the general library where my sister had to book a computer, then she could print some unofficial documents, in hope that the consulate would accept for the time being.
By the time we were done with the printing, it was twelve meaning that the consulate is closed. Shit, so my sister and I headed back to my uncle's shop to help him. Upon arrival, the shop was in a mess, and there weren't many pies in the warmer. It was quite chaotic. We helped out in making some sausage rolls and K did the selling, thus reducing workload on the pair.
We got back to the consulate at almost two. The wait was rediculous as it took us almost two hours until they called us. Anyway, the questioning wasn't that back. She just looked at our papers from bank, uni and then just told us to return tomorrow to collect the passies. AS for my cousin, his wasn't so smooth. He presented the same things to her but because of his status and his only recent stay in this country, there may or may not be a grant. It was a bummer to hear because the costs for the application wasn't cheap and no refund either.
We came back to the shop to finish off our help for the day. Uncle K needed to go shopping so he closed the place early. Uncle invited us, including Kem, to come to his house tonight to have hot pot. We of course said yes. Nowadays, we go anyplace that has free food really. We came up to the room first and then showered. Kem came to check out our room, and he said it looked cramped. True.
The next destination for us was the hardware store to collect the shelf. Then to uncle's place to have dinner. By then the time was 7;30, we eventually decided to go get some winter gear, preparing for the upcoming trip.
After that we dropped my cousin off, and then we got to the room to set up the shelf and tidy up the room.
Friday- nothing much sofar. I am only washing my clothes. Then I would have to leave for appointment with Alas, and then onto the consulate to pick our passies. Tonight would be the beginning of the ski trip.