Working holiday in New Zealand

Should governments provide a fixed income for all citizens, regardless of employment status? I partially agree with the idea of providing a fixed income for all citizens, as I see both advantages and drawbacks. It is true that such a system could help people maintain their daily lives. However, it would also impose an additional financial burden on society. For instance, Japan’s working population has been gradually decreasing, making it increasingly difficult for many people to secure their livelihoods. In other words, we are already facing economic challenges in sustaining current government programs, such as public health insurance. If the cost of implementing a universal basic income system exceeds the additional taxes or financial burdens imposed on citizens, then the system would not be justifiable. Therefore, I cannot fully support this idea at the moment.

I had completely lost confidence in myself over the past two weeks, mainly because I felt like my English skills were getting worse day by day. However, after a conversation with my friends—whose English is quite good and very fast—I realized that wasn’t actually the case. I was probably just getting confused by complicated customer inquiries while under pressure. Also, as I mentioned in my blog two days ago, a conversation with one of my coworkers gave me a new perspective on my next step. If I hadn’t worked at my current job, I would have never come across this option. I’m still unsure whether I’ll actually pursue a career in the biology field, but gaining a new perspective was meaningful. I truly appreciate my friends and my coworker.

I couldn't communicate with customers as well as usual. I was disappointed in myself when one customer said, "I can't understand his explanation. Hey, boss, please tell me what he said." I wasn't sure what was happening in my mind, but I knew I had been extremely tired, even though this week hasn’t been busy. But something happy happened. My reliable friend from Chile gave me a T-shirt and organized a surprise party for my birthday. I never imagined such a wonderful time because she had just asked for my help with moving her friend's belongings. She kindly lied to me.

I will finally turn 30 years old tomorrow, which means today is the last day of my 20s. I simply want to say, "Nothing left behind." I now feel that the people I’ve met and the experiences I’ve had so far have given me various perspectives and knowledge. Trying a working holiday in New Zealand has been a tougher decision than anything else I’ve done. I will make each day meaningful, knowing that I will have to return to Japan someday. Actually, I got a hint that could be useful for my future plans from a coworker. Through a conversation with him, the idea of going back to the science field has come up as one of my options. I had never thought about that before, as I left the biological field a long time ago. Anyway, I will keep communicating with him and gradually clarify my next steps.

I took the entire day to rest because I have been feeling extremely fatigued recently. To better understand my emotional state since arriving in New Zealand, I created a line graph to analyze my feelings. I rated my mood on a scale of one to ten three times each month. As shown below, the first peak occurred in mid-September, when I met a dependable friend at language school. Spending weekends together exploring different places helped ease the stress of adapting to a new environment. However, my mood declined soon after, as I faced challenges obtaining both a job and a working holiday visa. My motivation reached its highest point in mid-November when I finally secured a job, ensuring I could extend my stay in New Zealand. Although I’ve since encountered difficulties in areas I had no prior experience in, I’ve gradually adjusted to my new workplace.

I am good at writing text concisely and quickly, a skill I developed during my previous job. Recently, I started to feel that I might be able to try a writing job after a conversation with my friend, who mentioned that one of her hobbies might become her work in the near future. Therefore, I have decided to take on a new challenge by leveraging my current abilities, even if they are small. Anyway, I will register on a platform right away and start searching for projects.

I sometimes struggle with deciding what to do after my working holiday. My working holiday visa is valid until mid-November this year, but at the moment, I’m unsure whether I will stay until it expires. My decision will depend on my work situation and my motivation to achieve my goals. When I started my current job, I set a clear goal for myself, but I haven’t reached the level I hoped for yet. I know I might be pushing myself too hard to be perfect, but I’m finding it difficult to manage both the situation and my feelings. Either way, I’ve decided to go outside today.

Today, I gave a customer the incorrect price for a set of tires. I noticed this mistake after the customer had already decided to purchase them. Fortunately, he plans to buy them after this weekend because he has some reasons that prevent him from proceeding right now. However, I am not sure whether he has seen my message about the corrected prices. Additionally, the question-and-answer history in our system is refreshed weekly due to its structure. Therefore, I have no choice but to trust that he has seen the notification email sent to his smartphone by the website's automatic mailing system. This is my first time encountering such a situation. I should have been more focused on my tasks as usual, but my mind might have been tired due to some stressful factors affecting me. I will report this incident to the owner and clearly explain the cause and how to prevent the same issue from happening again after this weekend.

Last week, I was overwhelmed with tasks, but this week has been much quieter. It feels like one of the busiest periods has finally passed. This is a great opportunity to deepen my understanding of car parts. Until now, I’ve been prioritizing the completion of tasks over gaining sufficient knowledge about them. I plan to focus on learning the functions of each part while reconciling stock quantities between our internal data and those listed on the website. The knowledge I gain during this time will undoubtedly benefit me in the future, even if I don’t end up working in the car industry.

I owned two pairs of shoes from ASICS, one of which was already worn out. Recently, I finally decided to dispose of the other pair due to significant damage. These shoes hold countless memories for me—participating in the Auckland Marathon, attending school, and going to work. They were part of many meaningful moments in my life, and I’m deeply grateful for them.  It’s hard to believe that almost six months have passed since I arrived in New Zealand. I still encounter unexpected challenges in daily life, but I’m convinced that every experience contributes to making me tougher and more resilient. Tomorrow, I’ll give it my all once again.

I’ve recently come to believe that refraining from flaunting our achievements, skills, and qualifications is essential for building strong relationships with others. I've observed many people who tend to boast about their accomplishments in their studies or careers. However, this behavior often makes others feel uncomfortable and less inclined to support them in the future. After all, those abilities are not meant to be displayed for validation, and such an attitude can even discourage further personal growth. For this reason, boasting provides no real benefits. Last year, I was promoted to the highest class at my language school, but I’ve realized that this achievement alone doesn’t hold much significance in real-life scenarios. What truly matters is how I leverage the experiences gained in that environment. Whenever I feel the risk of becoming overconfident, I make it a point to reflect on my attitude and revisit the notes I wrote about my challenges.

I have written down some sentences that I use in my role, just for review. In general, directional tires cannot be swapped between the left and right sides. If they are swapped, the rotation direction will be reversed, which can negatively impact safety. However, it is possible to exchange them by removing the tires from the wheels and changing their direction. That said, this process incurs additional costs, and repeated removal can accelerate tire wear, so it is not recommended.   May I confirm if I’m speaking with Mike? It appears there was an overpayment of $5 on your end. If you’d like, we can arrange a refund for the $5. Could you please let us know how you’d like to proceed?

I used to dream of living abroad with my wife, but now that I’m on a working holiday in New Zealand, I’ve come to appreciate the quality of Japan’s medical system and various services. Although my current job isn’t permanent, it gives me a glimpse of what it might be like to work full-time here. Thanks to daylight saving time, I can enjoy coming home while it’s still light outside, which makes life feel more comfortable than in Japan. However, as I reflect from different perspectives, I’m beginning to wonder if staying abroad long-term is truly the best choice for me. It also makes me question whether I’d really want to settle down in New Zealand.

The frequency of asking the owner about something in my workplace has decreased compared to before. This is a sign that I have gradually become accustomed to the new environment. In fact, I was able to handle a complicated inquiry from a customer over the phone all by myself. I feel more confident than ever before and realize that I have the ability to manage tasks in unfamiliar areas I had never experienced before. I understand that dramatic changes will occur someday by accumulating small successes. Therefore, I will continue learning various skills in my current workplace. I took the photo below in Auckland Domain Wintergardens near my home.

I have written down some sentences that I use in my role, just for review. Your question is whether we can charge your account after purchasing, right? Actually, we cannot do that. I can text you our location if needed. Could you please share your phone number? Your question is whether we can ship your parcel to your home, right? We can do that if needed, but the shipping cost is charged separately. Please refer to the cost list at the bottom of the page you are viewing on TradeMe.

I have written down some inquiries from customers. These sentences have been slightly modified, so not everything reflects our actual responses. Can a wheel with 7.5J×18 and Offset +55 be used on a 2009 Lancer Evo X? Hi, based on your registration number, I’ve confirmed that your car is a 2009 Lancer Evo X. The original wheel size for your car is 18 inches in diameter, 8.5 inches in width, with an offset of 38 millimeters. The wheel we have in stock is also 18 inches in diameter, but the width is 7.5 inches, and the offset is 55 millimeters. This means the inner surface of the wheel will move inward by about 4 millimeters, and the outer surface will move inward by 30 millimeters. You can still use this wheel, but it will change the appearance of the car since the wheels will sit further inside the fenders. Would you like me to check for other options, or are you happy with this one?   Can the front guard of a MITSUBISHI COLT Z22A be used on a 2011 TOYOTA COLT? This item might fit y...

Yesterday, I fell asleep earlier than usual because I was exhausted and didn’t feel like memorizing anything at all. The fatigue in my body might have accumulated more than I realized. Still, I updated my blog and practiced reading as usual because I understand that consistently doing small tasks each day will shape my future. Although my motivation fluctuates daily, I promised myself to keep trying when I came here. Anyway, I’ll do my best at my job today as well.

It has been one and a half months since I started my current job. Honestly, I don't feel like I've made much progress yet. I still get confused when handling three or four tasks simultaneously, especially in areas I’m not familiar with. I plan to review my approach to each task and find ways to manage everything more efficiently and accurately.

I recently listened to some content from the BBC World Service uploaded on YouTube. I wrote down several sentences that include vocabulary new to me. Please note that the sentences below do not reflect my opinions; I have simply listed them to help me remember. First of all, that was a very contentious idea because people said, "how can you possibly compare big countries?" And they got people to take these tests, often against a great deal of local resistance. Singapore, Estonia, Taiwan or those sort of places, which we don't historically think of as being economic rivals. But you're right, kind of a good education is a much broader thing. And we as parents or whatever kind of want a lot more for our children. Well, I suppose there are two ends of that scales, the countries who might think they're doing well and then get a bit of shock. There was also an element of complacency. We don't want to segregate any people in the world. Shanghai was often considered a...

Yesterday, I visited a dentist in New Zealand for the first time because I had felt sharp pain in the tooth just in front of my left molar when I brushed my teeth. Although this symptom was the main reason for going to the dentist, the doctor also found a cavity in my left molar. He explained the current condition of the tooth and decided to prioritize treating my left molar, rather than the first tooth I mentioned. If I had never gone there, it might have been too late. I was lucky. Next time, I will ask him about the main cause of the problems and how to address them, but I think changes in my living environment and meals might have caused more damage than I expected. Anyway, this reminded me that my health is the top priority.

I have written down some phrases as I did yesterday. Although I have been able to explain the matter below so far, my sentences might have been a bit awkward and unclear. Could you please make the payment first while we’re replacing your tires? Please bring your car to the back entrance. We will proceed with the shipping arrangements as soon as we confirm your payment. Please hold on for a moment while I check with the person in charge of tire replacements. There’s a risk of mistakes when confirming an address or email over the phone. I’d prefer to use text messages. Could you please share your phone number? Most of the slots are already booked, and since our working hours are until 5 pm, we’re almost done for the day.

I have written down certain phrases I sometimes use when I explain car parts to customers. It is necessary to match the lens number between this one and yours. Otherwise, it may not work. There’s a sticker on the edge of the driver’s door that you’ll see when you open it. It shows "The original tyre size." Your car has symmetric tyres, but we only have asymmetric tyres in stock. That's why we need to change all four tyres. If only one tyre is replaced, it could cause a problem. Centre Bore indicates the diameter of the hole in the center of the wheel that fits onto the hub. The higher the offset, the more the tire shifts inward, which increases the risk of interfering with internal parts.

There are many methods to increase the profit at our shop. I believe one of them is ensuring that customers can purchase our items comfortably. I’ve come to realize that my greetings and messages in various situations—whether face-to-face, over the phone, or via email—shape the impression customers have of our shop. This impression can also influence sales and profit. I actually remember the good service experiences I’ve had before, and I want to provide customers with similar positive memories through shopping. On another note, I finally resolved most of the issues that had accumulated during the holidays and feel less pressure now compared to the first three working days of the year.

I’ve written down some sentences because certain phrases have been unclear and ambiguous to me so far. If you have already decided what time you’ll be coming, let me know. I’ll let the owner know so we can make the tire replacement go smoothly. The size, load capacity, and tread pattern (whether symmetric or asymmetric) need to match on both sides. As long as they’re the same on each side, it’s fine if the front and rear pairs are different. It is possible to remove the handle from the door and sell it separately. 

Have you ever truly tried to understand other people's situations when you ordered something at shops or online? It’s true that I have paid attention to how I communicate with customer service staff, but I may not have fully realized how difficult their job can be. Each task in customer service may seem simple, but we have to be flexible and prepared for anything. For example, I need to prioritize responding to customers’ inquiries face-to-face and over the phone, even if I’m in the middle of calculating a significant amount of money. Although I developed the ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously in my previous jobs, my current role demands this skill at a much higher level. I want to express my sincere gratitude to all customer service professionals. These scenery near my workplace helps me relax.

Today was my first working day of the year. During the holiday period, many emails, inquiries, and orders had accumulated. Additionally, I received a lot of calls from customers throughout the day, which made it difficult for me to make progress on my tasks. Although I understood that I should have confirmed some answers with the owner after researching and thinking through each one myself, I didn’t have enough time to do that. Therefore, I prioritized making progress on each task by quickly asking for the owner's support. I felt panicked and stressed during my working hours, but I hope this experience will contribute to my growth in the future.

Rugby has many attractive points. There are a total of 15 positions in rugby, which means anyone can find a role to excel in, even if they are short, not very fast, or overweight. The "no-side" spirit, where players respect each other after finishing a match, is another unique characteristic of rugby. I might love this sport despite having experienced a broken collarbone, a dislocated shoulder, countless bruises, and more. At one point, I hated rugby during high school. This was because I would get called out and embarrassed in front of everyone when I could no longer play due to an injury. "You’re resting because of such a small injury, aren’t you?" Those words felt like needles piercing my heart. However, I decided to play again after I came across a rugby club at university by chance. In the end, I was able to regain my passion for rugby, thanks to the new environment. I’m still unsure of the exact reason I love rugby, but I simply want to say, "Rugby is a f...

Attending an English language school certainly contributed to my learning, but it didn't directly improve my skills on its own. Reviewing what I learned at home is essential for developing the ability to use English effectively in real-life situations. Additionally, I need to establish a self-sustaining approach to maintain my English skills, as I will eventually return to Japan. Without such a strategy, my motivation and abilities could end up being overly reliant on my environment. Therefore, it’s crucial to create a method for sustaining my English proficiency independently, without depending on living abroad.

Out of all the subjects we study, I think the national language is the most important. That doesn’t mean other subjects don’t matter, but I’ve started to feel that language skills are at the heart of everything. Take math, for example. Some people say math and language are totally different, and math is just about being able to calculate quickly. I don’t think that’s true. Even in science, which people often see as separate from the humanities, you need to think logically and explain your ideas clearly. Being able to organize your thoughts and express them well is a skill that comes from language, and it’s essential, no matter what field you’re in. That’s why building a strong foundation in language when we’re young is so important for the future.

The National High School Rugby Tournament has been held from December 27, 2024, to January 7, 2025. Tomorrow is the quarter-final game day. Fortunately, I can watch all the games using my laptop in New Zealand, thanks to the development of information technology. The most standout game for me is the third one, between Osaka Toin High School and Toin Gakuen High School. These schools are currently the two strongest teams based on the results of the World Rugby Youth Tournament held from April to May in 2024. It will absolutely be an exciting match. Anyway, I hope all the players enjoy the moment. 第104回全国高等学校ラグビーフットボール大会 | HANAZONO LIVE | MBS 毎日放送 全国高校ラグビー大会の情報が満載！動画も掲載！ www.mbs.jp

I visited Mt. Eden twice today—once at midnight to watch the New Year's fireworks and again early in the morning to witness the sunrise on the first day of the year. Both experiences were incredible, but I was particularly moved by the sight of the sun emerging from behind the mountains. Although I have seen a sunrise from the summit of Mt. Eden before, this occasion felt special as it marked the beginning of the year. The stunning view filled me with renewed energy to face the challenges ahead in the coming months.