Working holiday in New Zealand

This week, I spent most of my working hours cleaning wheels and organizing inventory. At first glance, these may seem like small and simple tasks, but I have learned new things through them. For example, I now know exactly how to measure the center bore and where to check on wheels to collect important details such as wheel size and offset. Even just cleaning them is meaningful, as I always focus on how to make them significantly cleaner than their original condition. I have already realized that every task is connected in some way, even if I switch to a completely different field in the future.

What is exactly the difficulty of a working holiday? I suppose the answer depends on each person. For students, it might be the simple fear of staying abroad. Or, for people around 30 years old, it might have an impact on their career. More or less, we all stayed here with various concerns. Even though we have smartphones that allow us to connect to our family and friends back home, we still mostly resolve each issue on our own. Maybe all of us have faced situations we wanted to escape from, at least once. In other words, these experiences teach us how to handle challenges or calm ourselves down in any situation. No day is a waste of time, even if there was a time when we couldn't do anything.

Recently, I have faced new challenges, one of which is my insufficient ability to understand multiple ways of explaining something. For instance, I can easily predict that customers means tyre fitting when they ask, "Can you put tyres onto wheels? Also, is the cost additional?" However, when a certain company inquired over the phone, "Do you produce tyres in your company?" I interpreted it as them asking whether we manufacture our own tyres, rather than import them from other companies or countries. Therefore, I answered, "No." After the call, I recalled that some companies occasionally pick up worn tyres from our shop. So, I called the person back and checked with him in detail. In this situation, I misunderstood what "produce" meant. I need to overcome this challenge to improve the quality of my role. This lesson reminded me of the importance of continuous learning.

"I want to become a native speaker." "I have to speak as fast as possible." At the beginning of my working holiday, these were my thoughts. But now, I sometimes ask myself, "Is becoming like a native speaker really my top priority?" My current answer is no. I've realized that I should focus on making my explanations clear rather than trying to sound smart. Instead of aiming to mimic native speakers, I want to expand my vocabulary and learn to explain things more concisely through my job. I will continue reviewing my progress every day.

Recently, I have been thinking about how I can boost our sales through my daily tasks. It is true that my wage does not increase even if I take on new responsibilities in my current role. However, I aim to broaden my perspective through customer service, not just by using English. Since early February, I have occasionally suggested my ideas to the owner. Each idea may have only a small impact on our overall revenue, but I believe that their accumulation will strengthen my various skills. Therefore, I will continue doing my best in my role from now on.

I joined a volunteer activity to help maintain the good condition of a nature reserve. I signed up for this event through Conservation Volunteers New Zealand , which is one of the organizations dedicated to preserving New Zealand’s beautiful natural environment. I participated in this event with two purposes: broadening my understanding of nature-related volunteer work and testing how well I could collaborate with locals without any friends. Fortunately, I was able to have conversations with locals from various nationalities and also felt that my listening skills have definitely been improving. I also learned how to distinguish non-native weeds from native plants, though I still need time to develop this skill. However, this experience was a great opportunity to deepen my interest in plants and nature.

One of the main goals of my working holiday is to find a solid way to keep my English skills sharp without having to live abroad forever. It might sound a bit odd since I'm in New Zealand right now, but it's really important to me. Eventually, we'll all have to go back home, and meeting up won't be as easy as it is now. Plus, once we're back, we'll naturally be more immersed in our native language. I’m not entirely sure how challenging it will be to maintain my English skills in Japan, but I've come up with my own method using YouTube videos. I've found that mixing casual and academic content really helps boost my listening and speaking skills, whether I'm chatting with friends or in a more formal setting. I'll keep practicing and check in from time to time to see if my approach is working.

We often feel scared to try something that most people have never attempted. For me, that was undoubtedly my decision to go on a working holiday without my wife. Some people asked me, "Do you really need to do that? You're already 30 years old and married. Isn't it too late to experience international exchange?" My wife and I understood that our decision was unconventional and perhaps difficult for others, especially in Japan, to understand. However, we believed that this challenge would allow us to appreciate each other more and help us grow stronger as individuals. Now that I continue moving forward in New Zealand, I feel that every single day is valuable and meaningful. I am deeply grateful to my wife, and I want to keep improving myself step by step.

Yesterday, I went to the top of Mount Hobson at night to watch the sunset. This mountain is not as tall as Mount Eden. Since there are no tall buildings around, I had a clear 360-degree view of Auckland. I was worried about a squall coming, but fortunately, the weather was fine, and I had no trouble. As I mentioned in my blog yesterday, I have been feeling a bit nervous about my poor performance in speaking English. However, thanks to nature and my friend, I was able to forget about my worries for a while.

I haven't been able to speak smoothly because I can't control my tongue well when speaking English. I suppose the main reasons are that I have had less time to practice reading aloud than before and that I’ve been feeling fatigued. Also, for the past two weeks, I have intentionally focused more on listening training, meaning my input has significantly outweighed my output. Either way, I need to balance both types of training.

Summer is ending soon in New Zealand, and I feel a bit sad that I won’t be able to hear the sound of cicadas in a couple of weeks. My summer has mostly been filled with work, but I’m satisfied with my current situation. This is because I have been able to broaden my horizons through my role and have recently learned how to handle customer inquiries, even when I can't fully catch what they’re saying over the phone. I’m looking forward to the autumn season here.

I have recently reflected on some of my routines, one of which is browsing social media on my smartphone. Platforms like Instagram and Facebook provide us with a lot of useful content. While an abundance of images and videos can help relieve daily stress, we are sometimes exposed to unnecessary information. When we see the pictures or videos that others post on their accounts, we unintentionally compare our own lives to their seemingly enjoyable ones. As a result, some of us may try to make our daily lives happier than before. This makes sense if it genuinely helps us feel more comfortable. However, for me, it only creates more pressure. Because of this, I decided to stop checking social media, especially over the past two weeks. Since then, I have felt less pressure and have been able to focus more on the tasks at hand. In today's world, we may be facing a challenge in learning how to manage the overwhelming amount of information available to us.

Yesterday, I finally got to watch a Super Rugby game between the Blues and the Chiefs. Super Rugby is held every year among Pacific nations, which means that no Japanese clubs are included. All the players on both teams were tall and had powerful builds, making each collision feel like a car crash. I was so excited throughout the game. The highlight of the match came in the last 10 minutes. Damian McKenzie, one of the smartest players on the Chiefs, displayed exceptional running and kicking skills, leading his team to victory. Recently, I’ve been feeling uncertain about my next step or future, but watching rugby helped relieve some of the pressure.

 I listed car-related vocabulary that I haven't clearly explained so far. A  High Mount Stop Lamp is positioned at the top of the tailgate. It lights up when the car is braking, making the vehicle more visible to drivers behind. Tailgate Gas Struts help keep the tailgate open. They contain gas inside a cylinder, which controls the movement. When closing the tailgate, the struts compress, and the gas inside slows it down. Power Steering makes it easier for drivers to turn the steering wheel, allowing for smoother and more effortless steering. A  Seat Belt Buckle secures the seat belt by locking it in place, ensuring passenger safety. A Shift Knob is the handle on the gear stick, which drivers hold when changing gears in both manual and automatic cars. A Combination Switch  operates multiple functions, such as turn signals, headlights, and wipers. A Door Lock Actuator is a small motor inside the car door that locks and unlocks the door when a button is pressed, e...

 I wrote down some sentences that I couldn't explain to a customer well. 0W is compatible with temperatures as low as -35℃, 5W with -30℃, and 10W with -25℃. The number before 'W' represents the oil's viscosity at low temperatures. The lower the number, the lower the temperature the oil can withstand. The numbers after 'W' indicate the oil's viscosity at high temperatures, but they do not represent a temperature range. A higher number means better oil film retention at high temperatures, which enhances engine protection.

I wrote down some sentences I struggled to read aloud smoothly, as I did yesterday. We're not rolling around in the mud anymore. They're being less exposed to that microbiome, which has good bacteria. The other thing which is really interesting too, and not to kind of drill into the niche of it. What kind of reaction does it cause? Keeping with this, like, why are we getting more allergic to stuff? Are allergies getting more severe? Are there more allergies or are we just more aware of it? The weight of the research and evidence does show that due to those factors I outlined earlier, you know, where it's different environments, we're a more cleaner society, there's more sterilisation going on, not only are we reporting more allergies, but unfortunately allergies are getting worse too. Reference:  https://youtu.be/XQChh9jCHcQ?si=K1hi7Fl-YIYbXrp1

I have recently been using BBC World Service content because it offers a rich variety of casual conversations, academic vocabulary, and complex sentences. To overcome my current challenges, this content is quite useful. I wrote down some sentences that I struggled to read smoothly yesterday. So, it's gonna put up all of its defenses to make sure that they don't attack you. Is that what's going on?  Which are some of the more common allergies globally? You can choose what you want to eat and what you don't want to eat in a restaurant, but you can't really choose the air you're breathing. Or should we say, you know, there are things that you can do, like wear a mask and stuff, but it's a lot harder. Francis, you're from Australia, which has been called the allergy capital of the world. What's it like when you go out to a restaurant? So, I think that's where that term comes from. We're still grappling with what the exact factors are. Researchers...

Today marks the 200th day since I started my working holiday in New Zealand. At this stage, my current challenges are as follows: Speaking in full sentences rather than muttering single words or phrases. Expanding my use of relative nouns and improving the variety of ways I express ideas. Assessing how close my pronunciation is to that of native English speakers. Regarding the third point, my goal is not to sound like a native speaker but to understand correct word chunks and the natural flow of sounds, including intonation, when reading long sentences aloud. I know what I need to do, but I also recognize that it requires persistence. I will continue to move forward while maintaining a balance between my personal time and study time.

I wrote down some phrases that I use in my role. You need to replace all four wheels, but you would like to continue using your current wheel center caps. Is that correct? Actually, we can't be certain whether they will fit until we try installing them on the new wheels. So, we recommend visiting our shop if possible. This front guard has a two-tone color scheme: silver and gray. The upper half is silver, while the lower half is gray. Has the paint on this spoiler faded? If so, would it be possible to lower the price slightly?

Since I started working here, I have been aware of the importance of distinguishing my working hours from my private time. Back in Japan, I would often study things related to my job even on weekends because I wanted to acquire various skills as quickly as possible. However, I couldn’t keep up with that pace for long, as my body couldn’t handle such a demanding routine. Pushing myself too hard took a toll on my health. Not taking enough rest places a heavy burden on both physical and mental well-being, which can also impact healthcare systems. That’s why I now focus on relaxing on my days off.

Since moving to New Zealand, I've realized how important it is to take care of my body on my own. Back in Japan, I could easily visit relaxation stores, but here, I don’t have that option as often. That’s why maintaining my body by myself has become crucial. One thing that really helps is massaging the lower half of my legs. It makes me feel less tired because it loosens up stiff muscles and improves blood circulation, which brings oxygen and nutrients to my tissues. Plus, the lymphatic system plays a big role in getting rid of waste, and massaging my legs helps with drainage, reducing swelling and fatigue. On top of that, there are pressure points in the legs that connect to different organs, so a good leg massage can actually help the whole body feel more relaxed.

Yesterday, I went to the top of Mount Hobson, that is located near Remuera Station. This mount is not very tall, but you can see everything from there since nothing obstructs the view in a 360-degree angle. I might prefer this one over Mount Eden because it is easily accessible and has fewer visitors. Either way, I had a great time.

My friend recommended that I visit Newmarket Park before, so I went there today. Originally, I had planned to keep running during my time there. However, I was unfortunately too tired and sleepy due to my recent tight schedule. As a result, I chose to walk and do some stretching to relieve my fatigue. Many people stopped by the park, just like me, since today is a public holiday, meaning some people had the day off. This park is quite ordinary, without any special features, but I was able to fully relax thanks to its well-maintained grass. I’d like to visit again someday.

I realized that I can understand customers' inquiries more clearly than before. Although one of the factors is that I have become more familiar with car-related vocabulary, that is not the only reason. I might have acquired the ability to grasp the customer’s intention, rather than focusing on each individual word they say. I feel that this is one of the essential skills in customer service, as our role is to resolve each query as quickly as possible, not to memorize every word the customer says. I will keep moving forward step by step.

All of us have heard that it is important not to mix purposes with methods. I have especially felt this since I started working at my current workplace. Although all the staff members there are Japanese, I can absorb new perspectives and accelerate my English improvement. I also learn useful phrases by observing how the owner speaks to customers. Most people believe that immersing ourselves in an English-only environment is the best and toughest way to improve. That might be true, but I have realized that it is not the only way to train myself. I have certainly made progress in my ability to explain and negotiate with customers more than ever before. The job we choose is just a method; in other words, what matters most is how we utilize our current situation to reach the level we aim for.

I can’t believe that I’ve already spent two months at my current workplace, especially since I was so nervous in December. Although I’m still learning about car parts, I’ve gotten better at handling inquiries. As a result, I don’t need to ask the owner for help as often as before. Now, I can answer all customer questions on my own and even suggest alternative options to increase profits. Of course, I remind myself to stay attentive to even the smallest tasks because I know that overconfidence is one of the biggest risks at work. I’ll keep doing my best from tomorrow onward.

I wrote down some sentences using phrases that showed up in certain movies. How dare you take my coffee without asking? That kind of slang is not a term one usually hears in civilized conversation. More to the point, they've yet to come up with a problem that our professor can't solve. I no longer feel pain in my tooth after the treatment. Negotiating with difficult clients is a nasty business. I wish I could change the schedule, but this is out of my hands. I always set an alarm so I know when it is time for my next appointment. Everything's set. We just need to clarify who will be leading the meeting. We also need to make sure that no one bursts in on us while we're discussing confidential matters. Once you understand the basics, the rest will be easy. Weren't you saying just last night that you had known all along about their secret? You can stay here as long as you follow the rules. I expected an amazing meal, but it was nothing but that overpriced junk food. I ...

Has technology made human connections stronger or weaker? Technology, such as X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram, has made personal connections easier than before. However, this does not mean that we should fully rely on such tools. Thanks to the development of social media, we can easily share our daily lives with others. On the other hand, social media sometimes feels like a competition—how many friends we have, how much fun we appear to have, or how enjoyable our lives seem. We are constantly exposed to an overwhelming amount of information and may feel pressured to make our lives look better than others'. In other words, technology presents a challenge: how can we build meaningful relationships when we already know so much about others through social media? The more technology evolves, the more challenges we will face in maintaining authentic human connections.