Getting Settled In

Moving to a new place, let alone new country, isn't as straight forward as you would think it is - or cheap!

I have a little list of what I need/want to setup while I'm down here: bank account, SIM card, driver's license, and forklift license.

All of these are important for me to earn some money while I'm down here, but like I said, it's not as straight forward as I would like (mind you though, what "troubles" arise, are negligible).

Bank Account
I had a bank account the last time I was here, but shut it down when I left the country. I figured it would be a simple, "Hey guys! I'm back! Let's open up this dusty old account, eh? Whad'ya say?" 

Well, it almost is like that, except I need to verify that I live where I live with a letter from the bank. Mind blown. Catch 22. Grey matter everywhere. Ok, I'm exaggerating! They're simply going to send me a letter to the address I'm living on, and then that will be a form of proof of residency. Once I receive that, I'll bring it with me to the bank, and be on my merry to using my old account.

SIM Card
No dramas here. I just messed up and asked for a nano card, when I need a micro. Want my phone number? Sure! It's 021-XXX-XXXX

For 29 NZD a month, I get: 1GB data, 4G, 200 minutes to both NZ and Oz phone numbers, and unlimited txt to NZ and Oz phone numbers. That's an alright deal by my standards! And the coverage is pretty good nation wide! FYI, it's Vodafone prepaid. I should ask for sponsorship if I right about them on my blog right? ;)

Driver's License
Everything was going smoothly converting my Swedish license to a NZ one, but then when I had to do an eye test (which was extremely basic, sitting on their counter top), I failed. Not terribly, but just not good. 

I'll try and draw you a picture of the device they have there (they said it's very basic, and doesn't set the standard). It looks like one the pieces you see in museums where you can look down into and see some old microscopic fossil, but when you look into it, you see numbers on the right, and 3 columns of letters (each column has 4-5 letters, don't remember) to the left. How did I fail, you ask? I only saw two columns. It's because of my astigmatism that I only saw two, and it doesn't disrupt my daily life.

So, now I need to get an eye exam done! YEAH!!!

Sigh...anyway, I see this as a security investment, in the sense that with this I won't have to carry around my passport as ID. And it'll help me pass off as local more. I don't have the accent, but I didn't have one either when I was working in Australia on a Navy base, and I could move around with out an escort, because I had my Australian drivers license! Mwuahahahhaha!!! I actually slept in my car while at the base actually. Easy access to a shower and toilet. Oh, and free food! Good times.

Forklift License
Here's my favorite! I have to redo the courses/tests!!! Woohoo!!! My 10+ years of driving experience, and multiple licenses doesn't mean jack!

This is an investment. Having a forklift license has helped me score a lot of well paying jobs, and that's all I'm looking for right now: money to fund my fun/life while down here. So, I'll just have to suck it up, and do it. Hopefully I'll be able to only do the tests, so I don't have to redo EVERYTHING.

First world problems, but serious student budget problems.

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All in all, it's not bad. I walked to and from town today, which was about 45 minutes both ways, and I did it in shorts and a t-shirt. So, yeah, at least I have that going for me!