Random

A few new things to report.

John and I think we have found a new car. It's a bit more than what we paid for the first one ($600 more) but we think the extra investment will be well worth it in terms of security. It's newer, a 1995 Nissan, and it's being sold by a guy who is the manager of an engineering company here on behalf of his father who simply does not need it anymore. The car is in great shape (having been driven at low speeds by his elderly father), has low kilometers, and has been serviced regularly. It's also a V6 meaning it won't have trouble with hills like the last one did. It may mean a bit more in gas, but the man said it does pretty well on gas, actually. My Ford Taurus was a V6 and it did pretty well also, so hopefully that is the case. Cause gas here is EXPENSIVE.

John joined the AA here the other day, just as a precaution for any future mishaps. They offer roadside service and also offer great discounts on car services and insurance for members. We are having the car get a "pre-purchase inspection" tomorrow just to make sure everything it sorted and nothing will be need to be replaced while we have it. All this we initially thought was not necessary when we purchased the first car at the car fair in Auckland--but oh how we have learned. After all, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound in cure--as the saying goes.

We were fretting a bit over our finances, since the car will pretty much bring us back to no savings. While I never saw it before, I am now recognizing the value of having a credit card and having the ability to push paying for small purchases until the end of the month when you know you will have the funds. Alas, after much worrying and weird dreams (me) about money,  we finally caved under the pressure and worry and asked for help. John's father Martin saved the day with an emergency donation that will enable us to purchase the car this week and still have money left to tide us over until John's big paycheck next week (for all the work he did at time and a half over New Years). So, thanks a million Martin! We really, really appreciate it. 

I also have my Census interview on Thursday, and hopefully soon I will have some steady employment. Fruit pack houses are also recruiting seasonal employment now for the summer and I will pursue those as well. It's not glamorous work but it's an hourly minimum wage ($12.75), with a regular shift of 7 hours per day for 5 days a week (weekends off). It's also indoors, meaning you can escape the summer sun. And it's close enough that I can take a bike if John needs the car. So, hopefully our luck will start to turn soon!

Anywho, I've brought pictures! It's kind of random but our roommate recently went out and purchased a Venus Fly Trap plant to put in the house to help rid us of the plague of flies in the kitchen. I've been fascinated by it ever since and often stare at it when I'm eating my meals at the table. The other day, John wanted to see it work so he swatted a fly not enough to kill it but stun, and then took it and put it in one of the traps. We watched as the plant closed around it and as the fly tried to escape with out success. Today that plant is still shut tight and flat as a board--I assume it means it has slowly released it's enzymes to disintegrate the fly to use for nutrients. Kinda morbid, but also really cool. Here are pictures!

 Om, nom, nom.

Don't they kind of remind you of the plants that come out of the pipes on Mario games for Nintendo?