I've busy with my massive research project on New Zealand, working holidays and round-the-world traveling. However, I'm not sure this is a very effective way for me to go about this whole adventure.
As some of you know, I lean more toward a type A personality than a type B personality. Because of this, I continue to have this need to as prepared as possible. While other people would just buy a ticket and go, I am stressing out just from researching a potential trip.
The more I scour the web for information, the more I feel I am sinking under all that information. Yet, I cannot seem to stop myself from learning more. What's worse is that I hop from one topic to the next and never find a definite answer for anything. My mind is just buzzing with activity and before I know it, it's past midnight every night and I'm nowhere nearer my goal.
Each search just seems to creates more and more questions. What's the best credit and debit cards to use? Which financial institution has the least amount of fees involved with currency conversions and transaction fees? Should I open a bank in NZ when I get there? How do I go about setting up a NZ tax ID number? What's WWOOFing all about? How safe is it? Which mode of transporation should I use - public bus, backpacker bus, rental car or purchase a used car? What's the deal with travel insurance? How do you get covered for stuff like skydiving? How do you get work? Is it easy? What kind of work is available?
The questions are endless. I've started posting some questions on a New Zealand backpacker message boards and most of the advice is the same old Nike saying, "Just do it!" At some point I think I'll just be so overwhelmed with my researching that I'll end up just doing it out of frustration. The other info I'm getting through this site is pretty helpful though, and it calms my nerves because it proves other people have already done it so I'm not exactly blazing any new trails. The fear comes from the unknown, which is pretty normal, so I just need to jump this one hurdle and be done with it.
June 30, 2010
June 24, 2010
Augie T Performs At Coral Creek
Last night I enjoyed a comedy show starring Augie Tulba at the Coral Creek Golf Course in Ewa Beach. The show kicked off with two of his friends, but they weren't too great. I guess that's why they're not the headliners.
Apparently Augie and company have been doing Coral Creek for several weeks now. He's using the shows to try out new material to prepare for a big gig at Hawaii Theatre. The show tickets are going for only $10, which is pretty awesome. It's not a fancy place, but it's perfect for a night out in the middle of the week. Since it's out in Ewa, it's good for all the Westsiders so they don't need to come into town.
For town folks, he's also doing Thursdays at The Ranch House on Kapahulu Avenue. I don't know if the price is still $10, so you should definitely give them a call. I never even heard of this place until now. Google works wonders though, and now I might want to check them out for their food. Looks ono.
Here's a clip of Augie's comedy. I think his stuff from last night was way funnier!
Apparently Augie and company have been doing Coral Creek for several weeks now. He's using the shows to try out new material to prepare for a big gig at Hawaii Theatre. The show tickets are going for only $10, which is pretty awesome. It's not a fancy place, but it's perfect for a night out in the middle of the week. Since it's out in Ewa, it's good for all the Westsiders so they don't need to come into town.
For town folks, he's also doing Thursdays at The Ranch House on Kapahulu Avenue. I don't know if the price is still $10, so you should definitely give them a call. I never even heard of this place until now. Google works wonders though, and now I might want to check them out for their food. Looks ono.
Here's a clip of Augie's comedy. I think his stuff from last night was way funnier!
June 21, 2010
Making The Grade
It's that time of year again, when all the employees at work get reviewed. The positives and negatives of the past year are expounded upon and management tells you whether or not you made the grade. However, unlike when we were all in school, passing and failing now involves monetary compensation.
For some, I suppose, this is a huge motivator. It drives them to do better, be better. The idea that they may be compensated for their efforts with a raise (significant or otherwise) compels them to stay late at work, volunteer for projects, kiss up to the boss, backstab their co-workers and all the other types of civilized trench warfare that happens in a corporate setting.
For others, like me, it doesn't do much. I mean, yeah I like getting raises (who doesn't?), but I definitely will not compromise my principles for money. And I'm not saying I've got these high and mighty philosophies about life. Oh no, on the contrary, it's the simple things that I refuse to give up for the sake of money.
For instance, on every review I've ever received at every job I've ever had, there has been one consistent improvement that I can work on. This modification has been described in many ways, but what it comes down to is attitude. Apparently I have a bad attitude. Shocking no?
But here's the thing - at every job I've ever worked at my reviews say I also get along with everyone and work well in groups. Now how is it possible that I have a bad attitude when people apparently like me? They volunteer to assist at my events and go out of the way to help me out when I need it?
Can it be that my "bad attitude" is only perceived by the person doing the reviewing? Is this because most of my bosses didn't know how to manage their staff and had no concept of what we did? Or is it just my bad attitude rearing its ugly head again?
This bad attitude has consistently been a ding on my report card and may or may not have resulted in my receiving smaller raises throughout the years. Now, many people would say this is an easy fix. Just give management what they want - a happy, smiling "yes" (wo)man. By discarding the perceived bad attitude when in the presence of those doing the grading, I can simulate a vast improvement come next year's review.
To those people I say, "Hell, to the NO!" To those people I say, "Have you no soul?"
There are some things more important in this world than getting a raise or promotion. There are some things, no matter how small, that are worth fighting for. I refuse to give up who I am just to make my bosses happy or make things easier for them. I'd rather quit than sell out and conform to their idea of perfection. If my refusal to comply with corporate brainwashing prevents me from getting raises, well so be it.
For some, I suppose, this is a huge motivator. It drives them to do better, be better. The idea that they may be compensated for their efforts with a raise (significant or otherwise) compels them to stay late at work, volunteer for projects, kiss up to the boss, backstab their co-workers and all the other types of civilized trench warfare that happens in a corporate setting.
For others, like me, it doesn't do much. I mean, yeah I like getting raises (who doesn't?), but I definitely will not compromise my principles for money. And I'm not saying I've got these high and mighty philosophies about life. Oh no, on the contrary, it's the simple things that I refuse to give up for the sake of money.
For instance, on every review I've ever received at every job I've ever had, there has been one consistent improvement that I can work on. This modification has been described in many ways, but what it comes down to is attitude. Apparently I have a bad attitude. Shocking no?
But here's the thing - at every job I've ever worked at my reviews say I also get along with everyone and work well in groups. Now how is it possible that I have a bad attitude when people apparently like me? They volunteer to assist at my events and go out of the way to help me out when I need it?
Can it be that my "bad attitude" is only perceived by the person doing the reviewing? Is this because most of my bosses didn't know how to manage their staff and had no concept of what we did? Or is it just my bad attitude rearing its ugly head again?
This bad attitude has consistently been a ding on my report card and may or may not have resulted in my receiving smaller raises throughout the years. Now, many people would say this is an easy fix. Just give management what they want - a happy, smiling "yes" (wo)man. By discarding the perceived bad attitude when in the presence of those doing the grading, I can simulate a vast improvement come next year's review.
To those people I say, "Hell, to the NO!" To those people I say, "Have you no soul?"
There are some things more important in this world than getting a raise or promotion. There are some things, no matter how small, that are worth fighting for. I refuse to give up who I am just to make my bosses happy or make things easier for them. I'd rather quit than sell out and conform to their idea of perfection. If my refusal to comply with corporate brainwashing prevents me from getting raises, well so be it.
June 15, 2010
Voice From The Past
Yesterday I got a shocking call from a voice from the past. My old co-worker D-Rob called me (on my work number too, which was more surprising) to say what's up, catch up and ask about another co-worker's number. We spent 10 minutes catching up on each other's lives. It was all so very nice, just like old times.
It's interesting how random people are put together in some of the worst situations ever and find solace in one another. It's some kind of self-preservation technique that's left over from our caveman days, I think.
D-Rob and a bunch of my other old co-workers somehow managed to find ourselves at a place quite like hell on Earth. Go figure huh? Some of the nicest, smartest people ever were all lured into a toxic sludge of a workplace. While some of the lucky (and smart) ones didn't hang around for long, several of us stuck it out for a couple of years before getting out of Dodge. During those troubled time, we managed to forge a mean bond. Even three years later with zero contact between us, yesterday's phone call with D-Rob was like the old days when we'd trade jokes at each other's desks.
It's interesting how random people are put together in some of the worst situations ever and find solace in one another. It's some kind of self-preservation technique that's left over from our caveman days, I think.
D-Rob and a bunch of my other old co-workers somehow managed to find ourselves at a place quite like hell on Earth. Go figure huh? Some of the nicest, smartest people ever were all lured into a toxic sludge of a workplace. While some of the lucky (and smart) ones didn't hang around for long, several of us stuck it out for a couple of years before getting out of Dodge. During those troubled time, we managed to forge a mean bond. Even three years later with zero contact between us, yesterday's phone call with D-Rob was like the old days when we'd trade jokes at each other's desks.
June 10, 2010
All Blacks Make Haka Hot
As you know, I've been doing my due diligence and Googling for info on New Zealand to prep for a potential vacay there. I'm still undecided whether I want to backpack it on my own or join a small-group tour that's a cross between adventure and budget. I'm leaning toward the tour, even though this vacay is supposed to simulate what it'd be like to be on the road alone.
Most of the tours I'm looking at treat you to a traditional Maori dinner and the videos I've seen of these things look like the Maori version of a luau. Instead of doing hula, they do the haka. My YouTubing research quickly led from these tours to haka done by various sports teams. The majority of the videos are of the All Blacks, a Kiwi rugby team. I don't know if they're the only team that does the haka or even if they're the only team in NZ. I don't know anything about rugby, but once I started watching the videos I couldn't stop.
There seems to be a variety of different haka, but the most common is the one that starts off, "Ka mate, Ka mate, Ka ora Ka ora." This is the one with which I'm familiar (and I assume most other people are as well). It bothered me that I didn't know the words beyond those first few lines. I think it's mostly because the chants are shouted and the words are never distinct enough to understand. Even after watching several videos, I still couldn't get the words down. I finally had to Wikipedia them and read the words while listening to YouTube. Who knows if Wikipedia is even accurate though.
Watching the various videos of the All Blacks, I noticed that these rugby guys are pretty hot . . . even with the ugly, macho-man faces they're making (or is it because of that?). The guys, of course, are all fit and muscular and they're yelling at the top of their lungs as I imagine the cavemen of old used to. And yet, despite all the movement and progress gained through women's lib, I still find their behavior oddly sexy. I mean, there's something to be said about the masculinity, agility and dare I say virility that these guys exude while doing this haka. Their intensity and focus is both intimidating and alluring. It's kinda like looking into the eyes of a wildcat.
And just so you know, I still can't get the words to the haka right. But I'm going to keep trying . . . you know, for educational and cultural exchange purposes and all! LOL!
Most of the tours I'm looking at treat you to a traditional Maori dinner and the videos I've seen of these things look like the Maori version of a luau. Instead of doing hula, they do the haka. My YouTubing research quickly led from these tours to haka done by various sports teams. The majority of the videos are of the All Blacks, a Kiwi rugby team. I don't know if they're the only team that does the haka or even if they're the only team in NZ. I don't know anything about rugby, but once I started watching the videos I couldn't stop.
There seems to be a variety of different haka, but the most common is the one that starts off, "Ka mate, Ka mate, Ka ora Ka ora." This is the one with which I'm familiar (and I assume most other people are as well). It bothered me that I didn't know the words beyond those first few lines. I think it's mostly because the chants are shouted and the words are never distinct enough to understand. Even after watching several videos, I still couldn't get the words down. I finally had to Wikipedia them and read the words while listening to YouTube. Who knows if Wikipedia is even accurate though.
Watching the various videos of the All Blacks, I noticed that these rugby guys are pretty hot . . . even with the ugly, macho-man faces they're making (or is it because of that?). The guys, of course, are all fit and muscular and they're yelling at the top of their lungs as I imagine the cavemen of old used to. And yet, despite all the movement and progress gained through women's lib, I still find their behavior oddly sexy. I mean, there's something to be said about the masculinity, agility and dare I say virility that these guys exude while doing this haka. Their intensity and focus is both intimidating and alluring. It's kinda like looking into the eyes of a wildcat.
And just so you know, I still can't get the words to the haka right. But I'm going to keep trying . . . you know, for educational and cultural exchange purposes and all! LOL!
June 8, 2010
Celeb Alert: Daniel Dae Kim
I forgot to mention that on Sunday, I thought I spotted Daniel Dae Kim (aka Jin from Lost) outside of the Ward Avenue Sports Authority. I can't be 100% certain because I was passing by in a truck and he was walking toward the entrance. However, after looking a numerous pix of him online I'm about 90% sure it was him.
All I could see was a profile view of his face and that he was wearing a blue t-shirt. Couldn't see below about chest level. He was alone and headed toward the sporting goods giant. You know how people sometimes say stars look better or worse in person? Kim looked the same as he does on the show. I gotta admit though that I only watched a couple episodes back in season one. I didn't follow it much after that.
June 6, 2010
Kochi, Kochi, Koo
Last night I hung out at Kochi Restaurant and Lounge with some people from work to celebrate and bid a fond farewell to one of our nearest and dearest co-workers. Our friend Jen, who just graduated from Chaminade University with a Master's in Counseling Psychology, will be staring a new adventure on the island of Maui. She applied for and got a job at Kamehameha Schools - Maui Campus. Her husband also earned his Master's degree (in Secondary Ed I believe) from Chaminade and will be looking for work on the Valley Isle too.
So bringing it back to last night . . . . It was the first office party I've been to at this job (even though I've been working there for three years now). It was definitely an interesting mix of people. Some people were obvious choices to invite because they're fun kids to be around. Others who showed up had me scratching my head going "huh?" I didn't take them to be party people, and sure enough they didn't disappoint. Some of the conversation was awkward to say the least as no one really knew what to say to them. At one point, I thought one or two of these peeps fell asleep in the corner. But hey, who am I to say whether or not they should attend these things. I'm a newbie.
It was interesting to see people's personalities once they got some liquor into their systems. Some got a bit rowdy, but it was all in good fun. Everyone was drinking soju, a Korean alcohol similar to vodka. It was mixed in with some lemons so it tasted like lemonade. You could barely even taste the liquor. Not bad.
All the office gossip and political rumors started free-flowing out of people's mouths. I learned a lot about the going's on at work that I never bothered to listen to until now. The rumblings from the peanut gallery weren't very positive, and it's got me thinking I need to jump from the sinking ship before it's too late. Some of the stories were very revealing about people's characters. Some were outright shocking. I'm thinking I may need to ramp up my plans and get my act together to decide what I'm going to do with myself.
So bringing it back to last night . . . . It was the first office party I've been to at this job (even though I've been working there for three years now). It was definitely an interesting mix of people. Some people were obvious choices to invite because they're fun kids to be around. Others who showed up had me scratching my head going "huh?" I didn't take them to be party people, and sure enough they didn't disappoint. Some of the conversation was awkward to say the least as no one really knew what to say to them. At one point, I thought one or two of these peeps fell asleep in the corner. But hey, who am I to say whether or not they should attend these things. I'm a newbie.
By the way, it was my first time at Kochi's and it was pretty nice. The server was cool and the vibe was relaxed. It was like partying at someone's house almost. They had some tv screens running ESPN and they lowered the lights and raised the volume of the music to make it seem semi-clubbish.
It was interesting to see people's personalities once they got some liquor into their systems. Some got a bit rowdy, but it was all in good fun. Everyone was drinking soju, a Korean alcohol similar to vodka. It was mixed in with some lemons so it tasted like lemonade. You could barely even taste the liquor. Not bad.
All the office gossip and political rumors started free-flowing out of people's mouths. I learned a lot about the going's on at work that I never bothered to listen to until now. The rumblings from the peanut gallery weren't very positive, and it's got me thinking I need to jump from the sinking ship before it's too late. Some of the stories were very revealing about people's characters. Some were outright shocking. I'm thinking I may need to ramp up my plans and get my act together to decide what I'm going to do with myself.
June 1, 2010
Go Jump Off A Bridge
Honey, maybe I just might! And why stop there? Why not a plane as well?
I spent a lot of time yesterday looking into different options for a vacation to New Zealand. Yeah, I know it's rather sudden. It's not someplace I've mentioned here much (unlike Italy *sigh*). But all my previous research has pointed to NZ as a backpacker-friendly locale. There's a lot of young people who travel there so it should be easy enough to make friends while traveling alone.
Yes, undoubtably I'll need to go it on my own as my friends have various issues that aren't likely to be resolved before I completely implode. So, in order to relieve my own inner anxiety and escape the doldrums that is my every day life, I'd like to plan a solo adventure.
Since it'll be my first time traveling alone, I figured why not go big? NZ is the home of all extreme sports and I couldn't possibly go any bigger than that. So, I've been skimming through websites about various tour companies, transportation and lodging options and of course extreme fun by means of skydiving, bungee jumping, white water rafting, hiking and even zorbing.
I'm debating whether to do the true backpacker thing and plan my own trip and bounce from hostel to hostel while enjoying the sights and activities or hooking up with a tour group. The good thing about going to NZ is that most of the tours are focused on active things so it's likely that the crowd will be younger and not your typical tour group. Still it'd be nice to just bum around on my own a bit too.
Anyone ever been to New Zealand? Any tips?
I spent a lot of time yesterday looking into different options for a vacation to New Zealand. Yeah, I know it's rather sudden. It's not someplace I've mentioned here much (unlike Italy *sigh*). But all my previous research has pointed to NZ as a backpacker-friendly locale. There's a lot of young people who travel there so it should be easy enough to make friends while traveling alone.
Yes, undoubtably I'll need to go it on my own as my friends have various issues that aren't likely to be resolved before I completely implode. So, in order to relieve my own inner anxiety and escape the doldrums that is my every day life, I'd like to plan a solo adventure.
Since it'll be my first time traveling alone, I figured why not go big? NZ is the home of all extreme sports and I couldn't possibly go any bigger than that. So, I've been skimming through websites about various tour companies, transportation and lodging options and of course extreme fun by means of skydiving, bungee jumping, white water rafting, hiking and even zorbing.
I'm debating whether to do the true backpacker thing and plan my own trip and bounce from hostel to hostel while enjoying the sights and activities or hooking up with a tour group. The good thing about going to NZ is that most of the tours are focused on active things so it's likely that the crowd will be younger and not your typical tour group. Still it'd be nice to just bum around on my own a bit too.
Anyone ever been to New Zealand? Any tips?
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