Ok so in exactly 8 days I leave Christchurch, that’s 6 working days, which are the only type of days that matter to any government office – like say the British High Commission in Wellington. I guess you could say I’m getting slightly anxious with regard to the process of my UK working holiday visa application. And yes I am all too aware that applying for it so late in the piece in no ones fault bar my own. That doesn’t ease my mind any, unfortunately. Still. Visa First (the company through which I applied, basically just so they could check my crap and increase my chances of actual acceptance) told me there is a turn around of 15-20 for visas usually. So my timing for possible processing kind of just scrapes in on the lower end of that scale. From the date the British High Commission received my application to the last date I can receive it (while still in Christchurch) is 17 working days. Technicality much? How can it actually take that long anyhow? Efficiency is the name of the game people. (/end bitterness over fact that I am pulling double and sometimes triple shifts and yet people in visa office certainly need not work this hard). Am hoping aforementioned bitter rant does not wreck my karma and screw up any possible positive resolutions in way of accepted and received application.

I need to receive my *hopefully* accepted visa application and passport (yes, I currently have no passport, it is with the British High Commission too) before NEXT Friday. Because I leave Christchurch to road trip up to Auckland … and fly out of Auckland to London 2 weeks later on Friday 22nd August. So – I won’t be returning to my apartment in Christchurch, meaning if my application and passport arrive after next Friday … I’ll have a hell of a time trying to get them… being as I’ll be living out of a campervan for the time between leaving Christchurch and flying to UK.

To rectify this awful wee pickle I’ve found myself in I’ve been trying to get in contact with the big wigs in visa applications at the Embassy in Wellington. I phoned the general enquiries line and they gave me an 0900 number to phone instead, informing me that I would be charged $3.30 for the joy of using that 0900 number. They also suggested I send an email. So I wrote up a big wanky sounding letter reminiscent of the fact that I’ve spent the last week doing legal assistant work…and I sent the email off. A few moments later I received an autoreply informing me that they would endeavour to reply in 5 working days. That takes us to next Tuesday at the earliest. Yeah. Ok. That would be too late, buddy, seriously, if my query could wait a week, would I even be making said query?

So I tried calling the number, redialing for most of yesterday… and most of today. Busy signal everytime. Can’t begin to tell you how frustrating it’s getting. The hotline is apparently open until 8pm so I’ll keep trying until then. Anyway, the shitty thing is that even if/when I do get through … it’s still not definite that my little situation can be helped. As in, I’ll probably get through just to be told that there is nothing anyone can do to speed up the process and stiff shit, deal with it. Uhohs.

Looks like I might have to change my flight date and either fly back down to Christchurch to pick up my paperwork… or pay for reception at my apartment to courier it to… somewhere… or stop off at Wellington & pick it up from the Embassy (?) on the roadtrip from Christchurch to Auckland …. Or postpone trip indefinitely? … AND those options are assuming I even get granted the damn visa. If they deny me then I truly am up shit creek without a paddle, aren’t I? Buggar.

My flatmate probably thinks I'm in here getting myself off over Kate Moenigg or Leisha Hayley or something. I've been sitting here saying "YES. YES. YES. YES. YES YES YES YES YES!! YES. YES." in an attempt to reclaim my bogan accent. Earlier today I noticed that I'm sounding kiwi when saying YES, thats right, I was actually doing that horrendous thing they do with their vowels and pronouncing YES as YIS. YIIIIIIIIS. Give me bogan anyday, bitches, haha.

Well. I went & did it. My visa application has officially been posted. HOW. EXCITING. I know. Oh. Get this right. I went and got my passport photo taken.. and it cos $19.90. What. the. fuck!? I was like :0 rilly? Bastards! Ha. It was a fugly picture too, isn't that always the way? Today has actually been a rather productive day in fact, I spent three hours making chit chat with my hairdresser ... so now I'm all snipped and black tressed. Fabo. I also managed to shoot off emails requesting copies of my group certificates from my aussie employers so hopefully I'll get a nice little refund coming my way in a few weeks. Would be rather nice. AND. I tidyed my room. Proud man, so proud.

I wrote one article for TL just now.. and am half way through another but am being distracted by all the fabulous music I've just popped onto my baby vaio. I kissed a girl and I like ittttt, taste of her cherry chapstickkkkkkkkkkkkk... ayy ayy Ms Perry! Tis all. Am off to concentrate on something productive.. like TL..

Fox Glacier tomorrow, so if I dissapear thats why. Apparently the nearest supermarket to the hostel I'm staying at is like 170 kilometres away. I'm guessing this means they won't have wireless.....

My skin sucks SO hard right now!!! I feel like I'm 16 or something, geeeez. Thankgod for concealer, right?

So tomorrow I'm sending my visa application. Talk about cutting it fine. I'm insane. I'm meant to be flying out on August 22nd! I'm now ever so slightly nervous about what Plan B should entail, you know, should my application be denied for any reason. The boy is so relaxed about it all... like as if I can just up & go regardless of the outcome of the application. ANYWAYS. Shall cross that bridge IF we come to it. Right.

In other 'its happening tomorrow' news- I have a hair appointment tommorow at 10am. Have I ever mentioned how much I despise going to the hairdressers? My last encounter took like, 7 hours, or something insane. I hate the nonsense chit chat, the shitty instant coffee and the way the girls are all so fucking thin & beautiful. I hate girls like that. But. My hair is looking like absolute shite at present so it must be done. I am going to dye it black too. I'll probably look goth with my irish skin & all.

I think once I get myself through the fun & games of hair cutting & chit chatting I shall treat myself to some cupcakes. Theres this super fabulous little place called Cupcake Parlour right by the salon. The chocolate frosting is amazing. I'd be such a heffer if I lived any closer to the joint, it's irresistable! Aight. Off to sleep now.

PS: 2 sleeps til Fox Glacier/Queenstown/No work for a week trip! How super exciting (I have been pulling double shifts for the last month or so... so truly is exciting to have holiday!)

PPS: I love the l word way too much, I'm so into Jenny at the moment (and Shane, but it's always Shane, right?)

Today was one of those incredibly long emotionally insane days. I am fairly certain i set a world record for the amount of liquid to come out of ones eyeballs. Really. Who knew you could cry for like 5 hours straight and still have tears? But I'm fabulous again now & tis all that matters. Though, I didn't get time to do the groceries, so all thats left in my cupboard is some peppermint tea, loads of mini jams & cocoas stolen from recent hotel visits and a can of pumpkin soup. Not making for the most interesting dinner, and in fact, I actually opted for the last of the nachos I had tucked away in my room and a 600ml coke from the vending machine down on level 1. Cuz I'm a healthy bitch like that.

I think I'm going to join the lovely ladies over at iCiNG for the 'Transformation Challenge'. I need a detox. Or healthy start over, if you like. I wont be going to nuts though, like I could not possibly go raw or vego.. I love my steak. But I'll try and cut some of the crap. & I've joined a gym here, but my membership doesn't start til next Monday (as I expected to be spending most of the week in Dunedin, not sure if thats going ahead though). Though, I'm starting out hard - got me a personal trainer named Nadia, who will hopefully kick my arse back to the size it was about 6 months ago.

I got half a days work tomorrow, helping a government department move office. I've been told I'll be making boxes (oh yeahhhh), watering plants (but i'm not qualified!), filing (i love i love), tidying the stationary (will try not to steal post its) & cleaning the fridge (i live for this, maybe i'll find off steak?). NOT that I'm complaining, no really I'm not. It's a start and I love doing random crap. Lord knows i'm not in New Zealand to get ahead in the career stakes, I'll take whatever I can get here so long as it pays me at least $18 an hour, let's go!

Random... I love how some Brits pronounce their G's... like sinGING. & then they forget their T's... like BRISH.... rather then say briTish. But when it comes to France, they are always sure to say frooonnncceee in that snooty posh accent they rock, and laugh to no end (and try to imitate the 'strayan accent) when I say frAAAnce. That's all.