Well, this will be my 2nd christmas in NZ and I'm looking forward to it. The sun is shining and I'm not working xmas day! My boss is having an orphans xmas for all of us away from home - just an excuse for a piss up really!

Still in Auckland, as you may have guessed. Just applied for another visa for a year - still waiting to here from immigration. They have recently changed all the rules and I had to get a full medical, blood tests and a chest xray - cost $450. Hopefully, there will be no problems with my visa and I won't have to leave in a hurry after xmas!

My brazilian boyfriend, Tiago, has moved in with me. There are now 5 of us living there - us and 3 japanese people. We're all at work most of the time so never gets too crowded.

As some of you may know, I didn't get through the Emirates recruitment process - bit disappointed but have moved onto new plans now. Tiago and I are going to travel NZ in March so saving like mad just now. We're going to do some travelling then stay in Queenstown (South Island) for a few months working then do some more travelling back up to Auckland. Tiago works for the same company but a different bar. The bars have just been bought out by a large company who own 11 other bars including 2 in Queenstown so hopefully we will have jobs to go to when we arrive there.

Been doing a few day trips arounf Auckland recently as we've both been here a year and seen practically nothing - its shameful! Been to Kelly Tarlton's Underwater Antarctic Adenture, Auckland Zoo, Auckland Museum and Goat Island Marine Reserve. Going to the Bay of Islands for 4 days in January, with some friends from work. Still have a long list of things we 'want to see before we leave' but getting through it slowly!

I have a lovely new mobile (courtesy of Mum, Dad, Julie & Alex - thank you) which has pix and video txt so for all of you out there with pxt text phones - send me some photos please and I will return the favour! I have loads of photos on disc now so promise will try to upload them onto this site soon.

Must dash everyone, going for a xmas beer! Hope you all have a fantastic Xmas and New year and I'll keep you updated on my travels. I would be happy to not see in the New Year as it is my dreaded big 3 0 in February - not looking forward to it! Anyway, take care and speak to you in 2006 xxxxxxxxxxxxx