Working holiday in New Zealand

Today is the last day of June, which means one third of the winter season has passed. I have up to four months left on my working holiday.

I've recently started using the MeetUp app to improve my English and unwind. Unlike in the workplace, I get to meet new people every time. Most events are free, and many just ask for a small “gold coin donation,” as it's called here in New Zealand. I believe that trying out these kinds of communities—even just once—can be really worthwhile. I highly recommend it to everyone.

I had my eyes examined by an optometrist because I had been feeling irritation and pain for the past five days. Fortunately, the doctor told me that there was nothing wrong with them. I felt relieved, as I had been worrying about the possibility of serious damage. However, this issue not only caused me concern but also made me reflect on what I should prioritize in my daily life. The biggest change I have made is avoiding browsing social media during my break time at work. Although I had already been trying to reduce my screen time, this experience has made me even more committed to doing so.

It has been 11 months since I arrived here. I really appreciate my friends, coworkers, and especially my flatmate. I would never have been able to spend such a meaningful time without these reliable people. Although I sometimes feel frustrated and struggle to move forward due to cultural differences, I believe that every experience makes me stronger. I will keep balancing rest and challenging myself with new things.

Recently, I’ve developed an eye for identifying which headlights belong to which car models. While I wouldn’t say I know everything, I can usually guess the model of each car I come across in daily life. As I reconcile inventory with actual stock, I’ve been paying closer attention to headlights and taillights, which has helped me notice distinct design patterns. The more I observe, the more intriguing it becomes.

I have recently felt that my eyesight is getting worse due to excessive screen time and stress. That is why I went to Chemist Warehouse in the CBD to look for an eye mask to take care of my eyes. Fortunately, I found one similar to the one I used to use in Japan. Using a laptop is inevitable in my current situation. However, digital detox is also important.

The sunrise is later than it used to be, so I see it on my way to work. This beautiful scenery helps me relax and motivates me to do my best.

The frequency of needing to ask customers to repeat themselves over the phone has decreased since I have recently become more accustomed to voice-only communication. Although I had experience with web meetings while in Japan, I initially struggled to understand Kiwi and Indian accents here in New Zealand. Therefore, this is significant progress.

I visited Point England Reserve by walking and running, which took around an hour and a half. Due to the cool weather, running felt harder than usual. However, I kept going at a moderate pace and finally arrived. Not only did I feel refreshed from exercising, but I also discovered many intriguing parks and shops along the way. If I had relied on public transportation, I would have missed those places. I was so happy.

I went to watch an Auckland Club Rugby match between Ponsonby and Papatoetoe. The game started at 2:45 PM and finished around 4:15 PM. The sunset light reflecting off the field created a peaceful and warm atmosphere. While watching, I recalled my memories of playing rugby. The spectators kept cheering for their favorite teams, adding to the excitement. I was able to enjoy and relax there.

I went to the Auckland Botanic Gardens today because I had the day off for a public holiday. Since trains are being replaced by buses due to rail construction from today until next Monday, I had to take a bus. Although it felt a bit inconvenient, I enjoyed the scenic views during the ride, so I was never bored. The atmosphere at the gardens was not only warm but also lively, as some singers were performing in front of the main entrance to celebrate Matariki. Overall, it was an amazing experience.

He made a sandwich for me while waiting for me to come back home. I really appreciate his kindness. Having a meal and getting enough rest are crucial for maintaining my physical condition.

The period of the earliest sunsets in Auckland is finally over, and from now on, the days will gradually get longer. I’m really glad, as it’s usually already dark by the time I’m waiting for the bus after work. That darkness often leaves me with a sense of loneliness, especially when there are only a handful of people around at the bus stop. Reference:  https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/new-zealand/auckland  

One of the items I adjusted the price for, considering the current market conditions, was sold today. I feel satisfied with this result, as I have recently struggled to sell our parts efficiently. I will continue to build on these small successes moving forward.  

My flatmate gave me a face balm that he bought at a cosmetic shop near our home. I've never used one made overseas before, but I'll apply it to my face anyway when going outside for a long time. I really appreciate him.

Today, I joined a running community, just like I did last week. Due to the bad weather, there were fewer participants than usual. However, I still had an enjoyable time thanks to the organizer's leadership and the enthusiasm of the other members. Running at a moderate pace gave me a pleasant sense of fatigue and helped condition my body.

I had the opportunity to watch one of the Auckland 1A Rugby Competition matches between Auckland Grammar School and King’s College, thanks to an invitation from my flatmate. I was genuinely amazed to see the entire venue packed with enthusiastic spectators. One of the most memorable moments was watching each school's haka before the game began—it was powerful and full of spirit. I truly appreciated being invited, and this unforgettable experience will stay with me for a long time.

I’ve had back pain and have been feeling extremely tired. For this reason, I will prioritize getting enough sleep. Fortunately, the weather has been better than it was during the first three days of the week, so I should be able to recover from the fatigue soon.

I have recently come to understand which parts are needed by customers and which model parts remain in stock. I might never have noticed this situation if I had only continued with my routine tasks. Since May, my workplace has been quiet because no new items have been imported from Japan, and the number of customers has decreased since the long holidays ended in April. For this reason, I took on tasks that I rarely have the opportunity to do during the busy season. Thanks to this, I was able not only to broaden my knowledge but also to learn which kinds of parts are popular at the moment. I want to continue absorbing as much as I can through these extra tasks.

I've recently had a bad stiff neck because I spend a lot of time using my laptop for work and studying at home. I'll go to the pool after I get home to improve blood flow in my body.

As I wrote in the title, I feel that my life is like a rugby ball. The place where I met my wife, my career, and my experiences in New Zealand — everything has been unexpected. Although I am sensitive and tend to worry about the future, I have always chosen new paths at each stage. I feel a bit nervous about my next step after returning to Japan, but I will keep moving forward and taking on new challenges.

It is predicted to rain during the day according to the weather forecast. Although moist air helps me breathe through my nose, continuous rain prevents us from being exposed to sunlight. I must not let the fluctuating weather affect me, but I would be happy if sunny days would come.

Is there anything you have stopped doing since becoming an adult? There is one thing I have stopped doing, especially since I turned 30: reading entire books from cover to cover. This does not apply to comics or novels, because in those cases I definitely want to understand the whole story. What I mean is technical books or academic articles. I understand that this approach has its drawbacks. However, for example, when I’m teaching myself web design, my private time is limited. Also, I feel that repeated practice should be my top priority, because my goal is to create a website — not simply to finish reading related books. What is your goal? Is your current method truly effective? I sometimes ask myself these questions.

How do you spend on your days off? I will answer, "I basically explore new places in Auckland every weekend." Today, I visited The Shed Collective Farmers' Market in the morning. This market is held every Saturday, and the location is easily accessible by train. Although it was the smallest one I have visited so far, the atmosphere was warm and welcoming. Staying at home for too long makes me feel like I need to do something meaningful. I can refresh myself by going outside and getting some fresh air.

As I mentioned in the title, I continue compiling phrases and sentences I have come across in my role into one document. The main purpose is to review them repeatedly to improve the quality of my customer service. In particular, reviewing them alongside related images helps reinforce my long-term memory. Although I sometimes face complex situations, I have definitely made progress.

The sunset time has been getting earlier and earlier, and the days will be the shortest of the year from this week to next week. I'm actually a bit happy about it, since I usually can’t do anything outside after work because it’s already dark. Reference:  dateandtime.info: world clock

One thing that I’ve changed since coming to New Zealand is focusing on recovering properly when I’m sick. When I was working in Japan, I used to study or review even if I wasn’t feeling well. However, I’ve come to realize the importance of taking care of my body. Although resting reduces my study time in the short term, it helps me study more efficiently over the long run. That’s why I went to bed earlier than usual last night.

I appreciate my flatmate’s support in my daily life. He not only gives me tips and ideas for living comfortably but also takes care of me every day. Even when I’m tired, I feel better thanks to his warm smile and kind words. He is already 71 years old, but he doesn’t look it at all. I hope to be like him when I reach his age. I really respect his personality.

Winter has officially started in New Zealand yesterday, which means I’ve now experienced all four seasons here. The temperature will start dropping from now on, and the leaves on the trees will soon fall completely. I was really nervous at the beginning of my working holiday, but fortunately, I’ve made reliable friends and found some local communities that suit me well. I’m able to keep going thanks to the support of others. I’m truly grateful for everything.

I participated in a walking community, which is one of the events hosted on Meetup. All the participants were older than me. Most people might hesitate to join such a group, since an age gap can sometimes make them feel pressured to talk about themselves. However, I feel more relaxed sharing my thoughts and daily life with older people rather than feeling pressured.