The Doctor's and my last day in Christchurch has finally arrived. I have been here just over five years and the Doctor just under. Our fortunes have been mixed with the first five months one of the most difficult. Some dreams have been realised and others disappeared. New experiences have been enjoyed and endured. Overall the Doctor and I will richer is most senses of the word.
The first five months that I mentioned was difficult because we both had a sharp reality check with buying property, finding tenants and stretched finances. But luckily we came out not too badly burnt and a bit of luck. The real estate agent and solicitor that we used at that time would have loved us for the money that they earned. Three purchases and two sales within the five months. After that we settled into our current house where we continued renting the spare rooms. Over the years and a renovation of the back corner we ended up with four rooms rented out and enough passive income to live off this year. That was one of our goals was to generate enough passive income and now we have a taste for it. However to expand in Christchurch was not really an option as we would need active income to support the expansion plus it is not really the city where we want to live.
One of my better accomplishments was to study for and complete a Bachelors of Business. I take great pride in this as I didn't finish secondary school and all other study has been short courses. With this new academic achievement, it will give me the opportunity to teach English legally in Taiwan. I'll need to practice my a,b,c's again for all the kindergarten children.
The Doctor has also found life outside of the "Ivory Tower" of academia. The main experience and knowledge he has gained is "business is tough and not as easy as reading it in a book". One of the better business ventures that the Doctor has done was to import Coin Operated Candy Vending Machines and sell them on Trade Me (New Zealand's eBay). Both batches sold for a profit and all from the comfort of his lazy boy recliner. This idea came from a small business and franchisee expo that we went to. There was a Canadian company that had packages of 25 machines and a bit of support all for the small price of NZ$30,000 to start up. When the Doctor and I got home, the Doctor found a supplier in China and could import 50 machines about NZ$3,000. Umm, I wonder what option was less riskier? When the machines arrived the Doctor tried to get them placed and planned to service the machines (refill the lollies in them) himself. However after a few days he found this was not working so we decided to sell them individually on Trade Me. This is where his success came. One of the factors of the Doctor's success was his understanding of human psychology. Well done to him!!!
Some of the other products were not so profitable and had the difficulties attached. We found that the Kiwis engage in the online auction for the thrill of winning and not necessarily for the bargain that could be found. I remember one particular lady who was a security guard said that she wasn't going to let the other bidders win! Unfortunately the side effect of this is that their expectations of the auction item are increased beyond all reason. This was clearly evident with the first lady who refused to buy our washing machine that she become over excited on the bidding. I suspect that in the future they will be some sorry people who are taken to court and be made to pay for their over zealous behaviour.
I better cut it short here.
Anyway, to the friends that the Doctor and I have made in New Zealand, you are welcome to visit us in Taiwan. I hope that will keep in touch. As for what lies ahead of us, I am sure it will be interesting and have a good tale to tell.
Till next time, haveagoodone...
28 July 2009
27 July 2009
Trip around the South Island
Continuing on travelling around the top part of the South Island After escaping from Blenheim, the Doctor and I made our way to Nelson. We arrived late afternoon and after deciding on what Holiday Park to stay at (I prefer the ones with newly built cabins with modern conveniences and decor) we headed to the town centre to see some of the sights. Our first stop was a placed called Miyazu Gardens that were decided to N
elson's sister city in Japan. I guess we must have arrived at the wrong time because half of it was closed due to construction. However there was a reasonable part that we could walk around. One area we came across was dedicated to the Tao. Taosium I think was based on Chinese history but I am sure that Japan can lay their claim to it too. Anyway for those of you who don't know what the Tao is represented the every changing state of nature and each element is categorised. In the photos shown here, I am standing on the dot of darkness (Yin) in the total light (Yang), and the Doctor is standing on the dot of lightness (Yang) in total darkness (Yin).
Also in the gardens was a zen garden that we presumed was meant to represent the sea rather than a river. I'll let the photos do the explaining.
Our next stop in Nelson was to climb a small mountain to reach the Centre of New Zealand. When we arrived in Nelson, there were showers forecast and the held off until we got half way up the hill. However, we did persist with our climb and I'm glad that we did. So our photos show dark clouds and not so good views. This point is meant to represent the actual centre of the New Zealand landscape from the top of the North Island down to the bottom of the South Island.
This small little gathering (it literally has a information office and two cafes) is where some blow holes and rock formations that look like a stack of pancakes. Hopefully the pictures will tell show you what I mean.
After that stop, we headed back to Christchurch and will spend the rest of our time here before departing on Wednesday.
Till then, haveagoodone...
elson's sister city in Japan. I guess we must have arrived at the wrong time because half of it was closed due to construction. However there was a reasonable part that we could walk around. One area we came across was dedicated to the Tao. Taosium I think was based on Chinese history but I am sure that Japan can lay their claim to it too. Anyway for those of you who don't know what the Tao is represented the every changing state of nature and each element is categorised. In the photos shown here, I am standing on the dot of darkness (Yin) in the total light (Yang), and the Doctor is standing on the dot of lightness (Yang) in total darkness (Yin).Also in the gardens was a zen garden that we presumed was meant to represent the sea rather than a river. I'll let the photos do the explaining.
Our next stop in Nelson was to climb a small mountain to reach the Centre of New Zealand. When we arrived in Nelson, there were showers forecast and the held off until we got half way up the hill. However, we did persist with our climb and I'm glad that we did. So our photos show dark clouds and not so good views. This point is meant to represent the actual centre of the New Zealand landscape from the top of the North Island down to the bottom of the South Island.
The next day the sun shone and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. It allowed us to visit some of the other attractions in Nelson and they were the WOW (Wearable Art) Museum and Touch the Sea aquarium. The WOW museum was interesting and we spent a couple of hours there, but the aquarium was small and barely spent an hour there. I think it took us longer to drive there from the holiday park.
The following day, the Doctor was keen to do some kayaking in the sea but unfortunately the weather has turned again so we made our way to the West Coast to a town with a very original name (Westport).
Here we visited another seal colony but couldn't get as close as with Kaikoura. From Westport we headed down the West Coast and stopped at a place called Punakaiki (try saying that three times really fast).
This small little gathering (it literally has a information office and two cafes) is where some blow holes and rock formations that look like a stack of pancakes. Hopefully the pictures will tell show you what I mean. After that stop, we headed back to Christchurch and will spend the rest of our time here before departing on Wednesday.
Till then, haveagoodone...
22 July 2009
DEPARTURE GETTING CLOSER
As time approaches for my much anticipated departure from New Zealand, the Doctor and I have finally tidied up most of our affairs and are travelling around the top part of the South Island (yes, one of the Islands with no official name).
At the moment, I am sitting in a cabin in Nelson watching the sun rise outside and half watching a morning breakfast show on TV. One of the TV show hosts will be visiting Helen Clark (who used to be New Zealand's Prime Minister and now serves with one of the World's government organisations) in New York with one of his duties to bring a present for her. The TV show has decided to have a poll on the most popular present with the choices being:+ A buzzy bee toy+ A ceramic Tiki (from what I know of Tiki's, they are a Maori symbol of good luck when given as a present)+ A paua shell ash tray.
Anyway onto important news.
The first bit of news that I am proud of is that I have finally received my marks for the five papers that I completed earlier this year.
All papers that I completed I have received a pass or greater mark.
That now means that I have successfully completed my Bachelors of Business.
My name can now have the title “Bbs” after it.
Philip ---------Bbs .
Now I know why mum never gave me a middle name.
The practical side of this news is that I can teach English in Taiwan. This will also help with my Visa to stay there, become part of Taiwan's national health insurance scheme and most importantly earn a bit of money with very little living expenses.
It is now less than a month before I will be in Taiwan. The Doctor mentioned the other day that I would be arriving in Taiwan about a week before Ghost Month; I'll have more stories about that when it happens next month.
The next topic that I have endured, and I do mean endured, is the selling of our wares on Trade Me (New Zealand's equivalent of eBay). The selling process had dragged on for about six weeks with the Doctor insisting on writing all the auction texts with a view of appealing to the emotional side of the prospective purchase. Now I am not sure of other peoples' experiences with online auctions, but after six weeks I am so over it. One theme that I have found is that the Kiwis do not like to lose an auction. This means that logic and rationale seem to be tossed out the window and paying much more for things that what they cost brand new from a retailer.
One particular lady who bidded for our washing machine bid the price up to NZ$515. We purchased the washing machine for $399 in the December 2007 Boxing Day sales. When this particularly rude lady came to pick up the machine, she decided to cause so much trouble making wild accusations and eventually stormed off. The priority for the Doctor and I was to sell all our stuff and we only wanted a fair price. If this rude lady had mentioned that she obviously bid too high, I would have said a fair price would be around NZ$300 and been grateful that she took it off our hands.
The other situation that the rude lady put herself in was to become liable for her final bidding price. There was a local news article that I recently read where a couple were selling their lounge suite and hoping to use the proceeds for an overseas holiday. The first auction this couple ran achieved a price of $3,500 and then the winning bidder backed out. The couple re-listed the lounge suite and only achieved a price around $2,500. The couple were devastated as this affected their overseas holiday. They decided to take the first winning bidder (who bid up to $3,500) to the Disputes Tribunal and won their case for $1,000 being the different.
Although the majority of the Trade Me winners were friendly and gracious for the opportunity to buy from us, the trouble makers have left a lasting impression. The morale of this experience, selling on Trade Me is not that easy and filled with many problems.
With my studies finished and our wares sold, the only thing left to do is actually see this country before I leave. Although with only a week and half to go, the Doctor and I have headed up to the top of the South Island. Our first stop was Kaikoura.
Kaikoura is generally known for whale and dolphin tours. The tours are usually in the form of boat trips, helicopter and air plane rides. However in winter, the tourist season is not that active so the Doctor and I confined ourselves (along with our budget) to land based activities. For those of you who don't know the Doctor, he loves all types of animals so a visit to the seal colony was a must. Little did we know how close you can get to these appealingly docile creatures.
The photos I have shown here are of just one seal that was sunbathing on the side of the road.
After staying at Kaikoura for a day and half, we headed off to Blenheim. When we arrived there, we were greeted with not much to do and lousy room to stay at Holiday Park. The Doctor and I spent most of our time in the library using the Wifi Internet. With regards to Blenheim, not much else to say apart from Don't visit.
At the moment we are staying in Nelson. I'll tell more about this town in my next post as I will write it during the evening in the cabin we are staying in.
Till next time,
haveagoodone...
At the moment, I am sitting in a cabin in Nelson watching the sun rise outside and half watching a morning breakfast show on TV. One of the TV show hosts will be visiting Helen Clark (who used to be New Zealand's Prime Minister and now serves with one of the World's government organisations) in New York with one of his duties to bring a present for her. The TV show has decided to have a poll on the most popular present with the choices being:+ A buzzy bee toy+ A ceramic Tiki (from what I know of Tiki's, they are a Maori symbol of good luck when given as a present)+ A paua shell ash tray.
Anyway onto important news.
The first bit of news that I am proud of is that I have finally received my marks for the five papers that I completed earlier this year.
All papers that I completed I have received a pass or greater mark.
That now means that I have successfully completed my Bachelors of Business.
My name can now have the title “Bbs” after it.
Philip ---------Bbs .
Now I know why mum never gave me a middle name.
The practical side of this news is that I can teach English in Taiwan. This will also help with my Visa to stay there, become part of Taiwan's national health insurance scheme and most importantly earn a bit of money with very little living expenses.
It is now less than a month before I will be in Taiwan. The Doctor mentioned the other day that I would be arriving in Taiwan about a week before Ghost Month; I'll have more stories about that when it happens next month.
The next topic that I have endured, and I do mean endured, is the selling of our wares on Trade Me (New Zealand's equivalent of eBay). The selling process had dragged on for about six weeks with the Doctor insisting on writing all the auction texts with a view of appealing to the emotional side of the prospective purchase. Now I am not sure of other peoples' experiences with online auctions, but after six weeks I am so over it. One theme that I have found is that the Kiwis do not like to lose an auction. This means that logic and rationale seem to be tossed out the window and paying much more for things that what they cost brand new from a retailer.
One particular lady who bidded for our washing machine bid the price up to NZ$515. We purchased the washing machine for $399 in the December 2007 Boxing Day sales. When this particularly rude lady came to pick up the machine, she decided to cause so much trouble making wild accusations and eventually stormed off. The priority for the Doctor and I was to sell all our stuff and we only wanted a fair price. If this rude lady had mentioned that she obviously bid too high, I would have said a fair price would be around NZ$300 and been grateful that she took it off our hands.
The other situation that the rude lady put herself in was to become liable for her final bidding price. There was a local news article that I recently read where a couple were selling their lounge suite and hoping to use the proceeds for an overseas holiday. The first auction this couple ran achieved a price of $3,500 and then the winning bidder backed out. The couple re-listed the lounge suite and only achieved a price around $2,500. The couple were devastated as this affected their overseas holiday. They decided to take the first winning bidder (who bid up to $3,500) to the Disputes Tribunal and won their case for $1,000 being the different.
Although the majority of the Trade Me winners were friendly and gracious for the opportunity to buy from us, the trouble makers have left a lasting impression. The morale of this experience, selling on Trade Me is not that easy and filled with many problems.
With my studies finished and our wares sold, the only thing left to do is actually see this country before I leave. Although with only a week and half to go, the Doctor and I have headed up to the top of the South Island. Our first stop was Kaikoura.
Kaikoura is generally known for whale and dolphin tours. The tours are usually in the form of boat trips, helicopter and air plane rides. However in winter, the tourist season is not that active so the Doctor and I confined ourselves (along with our budget) to land based activities. For those of you who don't know the Doctor, he loves all types of animals so a visit to the seal colony was a must. Little did we know how close you can get to these appealingly docile creatures.
The photos I have shown here are of just one seal that was sunbathing on the side of the road.
After staying at Kaikoura for a day and half, we headed off to Blenheim. When we arrived there, we were greeted with not much to do and lousy room to stay at Holiday Park. The Doctor and I spent most of our time in the library using the Wifi Internet. With regards to Blenheim, not much else to say apart from Don't visit.
At the moment we are staying in Nelson. I'll tell more about this town in my next post as I will write it during the evening in the cabin we are staying in.
Till next time,
haveagoodone...
02 July 2009
Man of leisure (well not really)...
Since the last time I posted, so much has happened. The onslaught of assignments and exam preparation has come and gone. I am pleased to say that all was submitted on time or early and I managed to have a good week's preparation for my exam.
Exams always get me worried because it requires me to remember things such as theories, models and formulas. This is difficult for me because my memory is, and has been described as sieve. My memory is more attuned to computer related things that then academic theories. So the only I can get by is to create a mantra. Then when I get into the exam and it has started, I unload my memory by writing the mantra out and then I can concentrate on the questions.
Unfortunately I won't find out my results and success fullness of my papers until the 20th July. Here's praying to the Study gods to be kind to me. I have been told that in Tainan, Taiwan, there is a temple called Confucius's temple. Apparently when students want to receive good grades and/or prepare well for exams and assignments, I am told that they go to this temple and pray for good marks. I have looked at this photo a few times and made my own wish. Now time will tell.
I received one of my three assignments back yesterday, for Web Design and I passed quite well. This is one paper I can relax about now. Four more to go.
Since studying has finished, I was hoping that I might have more free time on my hands to enjoy. But alas I was mistaken. The Doctor and I have been on a selling frenzy with all our stuff. I didn't remember it being this bad in Melbourne with we left many years ago; but we did have a lady that bought everything. We nicknamed her tornado Jan as she sucked up everything in her path. It was good because we didn't have to individually list, photographic and write about everything. The Doctor is putting his English skills to good use writing the advertisements and I am left with dealing with the people coming to pick up what they have bought. I'll be glad when all is sold because the enquiries never seem to stop, people have funny requests (like sending Champagne flutes through the mail) and buyers wanting warranties on second goods... What's next, home delivery free of charge!!!
Times like this I need to focus on leaving New Zealand and settling into the new life in Taiwan. Warm weather, lots of Bakeries, Garlic Brick bread smell, no English being spoken. Bring it on!!!
Till next time, haveagoodone...
Exams always get me worried because it requires me to remember things such as theories, models and formulas. This is difficult for me because my memory is, and has been described as sieve. My memory is more attuned to computer related things that then academic theories. So the only I can get by is to create a mantra. Then when I get into the exam and it has started, I unload my memory by writing the mantra out and then I can concentrate on the questions.
Unfortunately I won't find out my results and success fullness of my papers until the 20th July. Here's praying to the Study gods to be kind to me. I have been told that in Tainan, Taiwan, there is a temple called Confucius's temple. Apparently when students want to receive good grades and/or prepare well for exams and assignments, I am told that they go to this temple and pray for good marks. I have looked at this photo a few times and made my own wish. Now time will tell.
I received one of my three assignments back yesterday, for Web Design and I passed quite well. This is one paper I can relax about now. Four more to go.
Since studying has finished, I was hoping that I might have more free time on my hands to enjoy. But alas I was mistaken. The Doctor and I have been on a selling frenzy with all our stuff. I didn't remember it being this bad in Melbourne with we left many years ago; but we did have a lady that bought everything. We nicknamed her tornado Jan as she sucked up everything in her path. It was good because we didn't have to individually list, photographic and write about everything. The Doctor is putting his English skills to good use writing the advertisements and I am left with dealing with the people coming to pick up what they have bought. I'll be glad when all is sold because the enquiries never seem to stop, people have funny requests (like sending Champagne flutes through the mail) and buyers wanting warranties on second goods... What's next, home delivery free of charge!!!
Times like this I need to focus on leaving New Zealand and settling into the new life in Taiwan. Warm weather, lots of Bakeries, Garlic Brick bread smell, no English being spoken. Bring it on!!!
Till next time, haveagoodone...
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