WTF!

Why The Eff do people think I am from Canada?

I had a few people at work ask me that question, even after the boss man introduced me as Mike from New York. Then I has some mail customer ask me the same thing. So in turn when someone asks me if I am from Canada I simply turn around and ask them is they are Australian?

I understand if one person makes the mistake, but now that more than three people have asked me I want to know What The Eff...

Come on people I say things like Lawng Iiiland, New Yuork, Carrrrr, and many other words that people pick up on. I have a New York accent, since when is that confused with a Canadian.

Hey Luke are you having the same problem over in Oz? I hope that you turn to those people and ask them if they are from NZ.

I know that all of you that are reading know I am a New Yorker, but I just want to let you in on where some of the people think I am from.

As for the rest of my week, it has been pretty good. Completing my third full week with the NZ Post, collected my second pay check and a few other things. Some of you are probably intrigued with what my day looks like, so I will quickly try and represent that to you...

600 wake up and go downstairs for breakfast.
615 come upstairs get changed for work, wash my face and brush my teeth
630 leave for work
650 arrive at work
655 get a hot Milo from the coffee machine
700 start sorting mail
815 Albany Team morning tea
930 leave office to ride out to deliver mail
1245 ride back to office
1300 leave off to head for home
1330 arrive home and have afternoon tea
1400 fart around on the internet, watch videos, blog, read, letsrun.com check on the yankees, facebook, see if anyone is on MSN etc.
1745 go to bus stop to pick up Leo
1830 go for run with Leo
2000 eat evening tea
2015 take a shower
2030 watch some news and tv
2130 head for bed to get up and do it all over again

This week was also supposed to be the last week that I have the babysitter while I deliver mail. Except that she decided since she is on vacation next week she was going to call in sick from Wednesday on. So I have been on my own for the last few days. It has been nice, but I am still learning the system and when I have question I have to hunt someone down instead of having my babysitter over my left shoulder. O well I will catch up. So I guess you can say that I am all growd up.

My route consists of 15 miles of biking everyday. It takes 2 miles to get out to the route then 11 miles weaving up and down blocks and driveways and then 2 miles to get back. The route usually takes me 3 hours at the moment, but as I get familiar I am hoping that will improve. Any other question you may have please inquire. michael.petrina@gmail.com

I have also received alot of free shizz from the NZ Post. It is the uniform, but it is pretty sweet. I got 3 pairs of shorts, 1 pair of track pants, 6 pairs of Postie socks, 3 short sleeved t shirts, 2 long sleeve t shirts, 1 cut off, 1 fleece jumper, 2 spring jackets, 1 heavy duty rain coat, 1 winter beanie, 2 winter thermal shirts, and 2 pairs of New Balance sneakers. They also have provided me with my bike, helmet and reflective gear. I also have order 1 NZ Buff and a pair of riding gloves. All the gear is pretty sweet as it is red and black. I will have photos in future posts.

So all in all I am having a pretty good time. Getting along well at the moment, everything seems to be going well. I have NO complaints, however I do miss everyone and I send my regards to everyone. I hope you are all well and are enjoying my blog.

Until we meet again! -Hurricane

Look Its a Bird...

No Its a Plane

No Its Hurricane!!!!!

And he got Whats Hott in NZ Weekly

Top 15 Singles

1 LOVE IN THIS CLUB / USHER FEAT. YOUNG JEEZY
2 THE NIGHT / GOODNIGHT NURSE
3 NO AIR / JORDIN SPARKS FEAT. CHRIS BROWN
4 ONE DAY / OPSHOP
5 WHAT IS IT / BABY BASH FEAT. SEAN KINGSTON
6 ONE BY ONE / THE BLACK SEEDS
7 DREAM CATCH ME / NEWTON FAULKNER
8 LOVE SONG / SARA BAREILLES
9 MR PITIFUL / MATT COSTA
10 ONE WILL HEAR THE OTHER / SHIHAD
11 ROCK WIT U / JANET JACKSON
12 DAMAGED / DANITY KANE
13 GIVEN UP / LINKIN PARK
14 I'M YOURS / JASON MRAZ
15 PARTY PEOPLE / NELLY & FERGIE

Goodnight Nurse is a pop punk band from Auckland. Forming in 2001, the band has released two studio albums, including Always and Never in 2006 and their latest one Keep Me On Your Side which was released on April 7th 2008. Their latest single "The Night", was released on February 4th 2008 in Australia and New Zealand.

Top 5 Movies in Theatre

1. Horton Hears a Who
2. Street Kings
3. The Spiderwick Chronicles
4. Semi Pro
5. St. Trinian's

Top 5 DVDs to Buy

1. Bee Movie
2. Outrageous Fortune Season 3
3. Beowulf
4. Stargate Ark of Truth
5. Andre Rieu Live in Vienna

Top 5 DVDs to Rent

1. Hitman
2. Beowulf
3. 1408
4. Atonement
5. Bee Movie

Top 5 Television Shows

1. Dancing With the Stars
2. Shortland Street
3. Fair Go
4. Border Security
5. Animal House (NZ)

ANZAC Day Part Deux, Updates, and Horton

The much anticipated Part Deux to my ANZAC Day Blog. After the ceremony we headed home to get ready for Danielle's(Leo's Niece) Surprise 6th Birthday Party! When we got home the child needed to be entertained while all the party doinging were doing. A cake was baked, fruit kabobs, cake was decorated, dinner was prepared and everyone started to arrive. I of course was in charge of the BBQ! Like always...
Children arrived and the food was being prepared. The cake was made and now being decorated. It was a chocolate cake with chocolate icing and a whole lot of lollies (NZers Lollies=Candy).

For dinner we had sausages, BBQ honey chicken, and spicy chicken. There was also heaps of other food to snack on.

Nat's (Leo's Brother) girlfriend Rebecca brought around some face paint to paint the faces of the children. However after the children's faces were painted the adult children decided to pain each others faces. I will show you what we did instead of telling you.Me Leonora Nat Becca

The evening came to an early end for me. I had to be to work at 630 the next morning. So I hit the sac at 2030. Remember I have been up since 500 am, so I am knackered.

UPDATES

Every now and again I will have things that I want to update you guys on. They usually involve previous post. There are only a few things today that I would like to update you guys on.

• From 10 things I have Noticed so Far...Gas has risen steadily since this post. A lot of the gas stations are breaking away from the status quo that all stations have the same price for gas. Right now BP has the highest price of gas, 1.88.9 for 91. There are a slew that have gas set at 1.85.9. The lowest around is 1.79.9 and that has been seen at a Mobil and a Shell. In addition they have this program, if you spend more than $40 at the Supermarket you get a 4 cents off voucher per liter. So you take that voucher into the gas station and they deduct it from your bill. So that is pretty handy because you always go to the supermarket. They also have the occasional promotion 10 cents off per liter when you spend over $70 at the Supermarket.
• From This One's for Cenzo... My dad had inquired on what my gas mileage was for my 1990 Toyota Corona. After a few fill ups and some calculations and conversions it works out to be an average of 28 MPG. You have to remember there is very little highway driving, usually none. So most of the driving is equivalent to around town driving. So that is a pretty good average.

Any questions? Comments? Want an update about something? Let Me Know michael.petrina@gmail.com . Then look for the next updates section.

Horton

This past week I went to the movies for the first time in New Zealand. I went with Leo, her bro Nat, his GF Becca and Danielle. The movies can be an expensive experience here. Lucky for Leo and I we happened to have a coupon for 2 for $20. Movies usually cost adults anywhere from $15-$20 a ticket. Children and seniors are nabbed around $10, there is also discounts for students.

The theatre gives off the old school theatre vibe. One where you would go and see a play. Somewhat like Radio City Music Hall, but not as grand. The whole place is patterned carpet, you have assigned seating (if show is sold out), the chairs are huge plush comfy chairs and the size of the theatre are medium size. You have plenty of room to move and operate. The snack bar and service is something that would be found in a movie. Of course the prices are outrageous, just like the States. The popcorn is extra salty and buttery, and the candy is hard to chew.

The movie started and I just sat back a relaxed, the chairs were so comfy I could fall asleep. Not only that but the movie was pretty awesome. I enjoyed it, Jim Carey and Steve Carrell did a great job with the voice of the main characters. I was so inspired by the movie that we went home and read other Dr. Seuss books. For those that are debating whether or not to go and see it. I would totally do it, but that is me and I am not you.

Overall the movie experience was pretty good. No sticky floors, big heads and loud talking people. NZ Movie theatres get an "A"... so far, I still need to see other theatres and other movies to come to a conclusive decision.