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.

ANZAC Day

Anzac Day is commemorated by Australia and New Zealand on 25th of April every year to honour members of the Austrailian New Zealand Army Corps (ANZACs) who fought at Gallipoli in Turkey during World War I. Anzac Day marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War. The soldiers were known as Anzacs. The pride they took in that name endures to this day, and Anzac Day remains one of the most important national occasions of both Australia and New Zealand.

Read More at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ANZAC_Day

For me Anzac Day started 5 am. It was supposed to be 430 am but we slept through the alarm. We were going to the Dawn Parade. The parade and ceremony was in near by Browns Bay. The parade started at 545 and then the ceremony at 6. It was done at a Monument that was right near the beach that pays homage to the Anzacs. Anzac Day is to New Zealanders like Memorial Day is to Americans. It is to pay tribute to those that fought for the freedom that we have today. Throughout the day they are ceremonies done in every town. They are also done at different times so you could attend more than one. We were attending two. One in Browns Bay, Dawn Service and the other in Silverdale 1100 am Service.

The morning was cold and the roads were dark. We stood on the side of the road in the middle of town. Off in the distance we can hear the sounds of beating drums. As it got closer we could hear the bagpipes blasting with the beating drums. The parade marched through the center of town. As the last people passed the spectators jumped onto the end of the parade. We were marching down to the Browns Bay Anzac Memorial. It was not a far walk, as we arrived there we thousands of people waitning for the ceremony to commence.

The ceremony started as the bagpipes and the drum sounds ended. There was a call to worship and a lead in hymn by Reverend Grosse. The hymn was Abide With Me, the bands horns sounded and the hymn was sung. Then the ANZAC Dedication that was lead by Mike Murphy, President of the Takapuna RSA. Then the crowd was addressed by Reverend Pauline Law. She gave a heart warming speech that brought tears to peoples eyes. After the address there was the presentation of the wreaths while the NZ National Anthem was sung and played. The Last Post and the Ode followed and quickly after that the Reveille was sounded. The sun was slowly rising over the beach horizon. Then the benediction and the closure to the ceremony. The parade lined up the drums sounded. Forward march they went right back to where it started.
After the March the family gathered, and went off to brunch. It was still only 645am but we were hungry.

We had to kill time so we sat and relaxed at the brunch. We still had lots of time to kill so we decided to go to the local park and do the flying foxes.

Flying Foxes? Well I will explain, it is quit simple. Its a zipline with a seat. Here is a picture to show what I mean. You climb to the top and zip yourself off. Simple as that, easy as 1, 2, 3...

We foxed for two hours and then it was time to go off to the Silverdale ceremony. Into the cars and up the road we went.

We arrved at the Silverdal ceremony to thousands of people, what a tribute to the Anzacs. The ceremony was similar to that of this morning. There was no parade just the Veterans in line. We started with the secondary NZ National Anthem and then went straight into Onward Christian Soldiers Hymn. After the singing there was a prayer then an address from Murray Harford. Then the Last Post, Ode and Reveille. The laying of the wreaths was accumpanied by the Austrailian and NZ National Anthems. As the sons were sung, planes flew over head, Seven in all, all planes used to fight the war.
After the show there was a closing pray then the Veterans were dismissed and this concluded our day.
All in all it was a good experience. It was nice to see how NZ honors(honours) the Veterans that fought in the Wars. It was a big gathering and all were respectful. The only difficult part of the day was the singing of the National Anthems. You ever have that feeling that everyone is looking at you and your singled out. Well thats how I felt. Not knowing the words and whether or not to salute, I stood there in silence just listening to them sing. Turns out ther is no salute, you dont remove your cap and you are not mandated to sing. Thats a great relief, but it was too late already had felt like the odd one out.
Keep checking the blog as there is more to this day. Its only 1130 and I am half way done. Part II is soon to follow so keep your eyes peeled. I will leave you with the words to the NZ National Anthem for those that are interested. Here they are no further ado...

God of Nations at thy feet
In the bonds of love we meet;
Hear our voices we entreat;
God defend our free land;
Guard Pacific’s triple star;
From the shafts of strife and war;
Make her praises heard afar
God defend New Zealand.

For the History of the Anthem check out the link
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_Defend_New_Zealand

Look Whats Cooking...

Hey Everybody, I hope that everyones weeks have been going by well. I am just checking in to let everyone know What is Hott in New Zealand this past week. I hope you all have been enjoying this segment. If you would like further information on anything that is posted here. Let me know or you can Google search it or check it out on youtube.com.

Top 15 Music 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 ONE WILL HEAR THE OTHER / SHIHAD
6 LOVE SONG / SARA BAREILLES
7 WHAT IS IT / BABY BASH FEAT. SEAN KINGSTON
8 MR PITIFUL / MATT COSTA
9 ONE BY ONE / THE BLACK SEEDS
10 DREAM CATCH ME / NEWTON FAULKNER
11 ROCK WIT U / JANET JACKSON
12 BACK OF THE VAN / LADYHAWKE
13 4 MINUTES / MADONNA FEAT. JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE
14 SWEET ABOUT ME / GABRIELLA CILMI
15 DON'T HOLD BACK / THE POTBELLEEZ

Top 5 Movies in Theatre

1. Semi-Pro
2. The Spiderwick Chronicles
3. How She Move
4. Definately, Maybe
5. Never Back Down

Top 5 DVDs to Buy

1. Bee Movie
2. Outrageous Fortune Season 3
3. Flight of the Conchords Season 1
4. Outrageous Fortune Season 2
5. Outrageous Fortune Season 1

Flight of the Conchords is a television sitcom that follows the adventures of the Flight of the Conchords, a folk duo from New Zealand, as its members seek fame and success in New York City. The show portrays a fictionalized version of the real-life duo,Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie, who play themselves. Though in reality Clement and McKenzie are a comedy duo and perform music parodies, their characters within the series take themselves and their music seriously. The first episode of the series aired on HBO on June 17th 2007.

Flight of the Conchords - Bret You've Got It Going On

Top 5 DVDs to Rent

1. Beowulf
2. Hitman
3. Bee Movie
4. The Heartbreak Kid
5. Gabriel

Training Log

I know some of you out there are interested in how my running is going. Well rather than just tell you I will show you by post my running log here. I will post them in two week blocks for you. Each week I will highlight one of my runs and tell you all about it. I will also have a map for you to check out. I hope that will be good enough for you guys to tide you over.

For a quick overview my training has been going pretty well over the last two weeks. I have done three workouts and averaged 73 miles a week. I have a Half Marathon coming up on the 18th of May It is called the Huntly Half Marathon and 10k. Last year the winner was 1:10:12 and then spaced out from there. It should be a tough race. Leo is also racing that day in the 10k. I have elite entry into the race, I emailed the race director and he was glad to give me elite entry. Leo has elite entry into the 10k. So that is the focus of my training, I am looking at some other races to keep my focus and keep the training rolling.

Without further ado, My Rlog (Running Log).

Monday April 7th: Real easy 8 miles
Tuesday April 8th: 10 miles in the Okura trails, feeling good.
Wednesday April 9th: Am 5 miles from the Joys Hilly, Pm 5 from the Joys Hilly, Felt good.
Thursday April 10th: 8 miles and 5 x strides
Friday April 11th: Am 3 miles from the Joys Hilly, PM WO 5.25 mile tempo 5x Orewa Loop 29:07 (5:32 pace) Felt really good, ran smooth controlled and relaxed.
Saturday April 12th: 8 miles real easy legs a bit heavy felt better at the end of run.
Sunday April 13th: 14 miles Okura Trails and some road, felt better and felt better as run went on.
Total Miles: 72

Monday April 14th: 8 miles 4x strides, feeling good recovered from workout.
Tuesday April 15th: Farlek WO 10x1min w/2min rest. Long Bay Hilly Grass trek and some beach. Felt strong on the efforts and kept an honest pace in the 2 min rest period.
Wednesday April 16th: 10 miles sore and heavy at start felt better as run went on.
Thursday April 17th: 8 miles from the Joys Hilly, no chance to do strides. Took all hills real easy. feeling better.
Friday April 18th: WO 3x 2 Orewa Loop(2.1 miles) w/ 4min jog. 11:09, 11:08, 11:00 for 2 miles they equate to 10:36, 10:36, 10:28. Felt it in the last one but pushed trough it. Ran smooth comfortable and relaxed. Felt really good.
Saturday April 19th: 8 miles feeling really sore but worked its way out towards the end of run.
Sunday April 20th: 16 miles at Shakespeare Park, Hilly as a MoFo. Felt tight at start, smooth in middle and felt like asshole in the end.
Total Miles: 74 miles (All singles)

As you see the Orewa Loop is in Bold and Italics, that is because I will explain my bread and butter workout loop.

The Loop Starts at the Main Entrance to Victor Eaves Parkon Hatton Road, it heads slight uphill, then you get the same slight down hill. This takes you to your first right where you turn onto Centreway Drive. This is a long flat straight away with no sidewalks. Then you turn right onto Florence Ave. where you have a slight downhill on the whindy road. Right before you make your last right onto Hatton Road you start a slight uphill that you finish with. The Orewa Workout Loop is 1.05 miles of pure amazingness. It offers many different types of scenery and terrain to run on. I would say that this loop would rank among of the sweetest mile repeat loops in the world!

I hope that everyone's running is going smoothly and I look forward to seeing some sweet results from all.

Postie School Graduate!

Hey All, as many of you know already I have a job at the NZ Post. I know how ironic? I will be writing a book at the end of my stay about the US Post and the NZ Post. Hey maybe I will travel the world working for the various post companies. Then you guys will never see me again. Just Kidding. Here is a little summary of my four day certification course.

Day One

The Postie School is located an hour from Joy house. So inorder to be at the school for the start of the day this requires me to leave the Joy house at 545, incase of city traffic. In turn that requires me to wake up at 515. Ouch I know... So that is how day One, Three, and Four started.

I wake up at it is pitch black in the room and all I hear is howling winds and heavy rain. Terrific my start is going to be in the rain. However it is school so hopefully I will be indoors for the day. We left on time and managed to miss the bad traffic but still hit some, I arrived at the training school at 700, I chillax in the car for twenty minutes and then head for my first day.

I walk into the classroom and there are two other individuals sitting at a square Boardroom like table. There are also three instructors standing at the front of the room. I grab the only seat left that has books infront of it. Then the instrustors introduce themselves and we are off on our way. Page after page of information that we need to take in. Its boring but atleast its not in the rain. after three hours of information they send us on our break, but before the break the dreaded words come out of the instructors mouths "I hope you dont mind getting wet!" Ah Bugger!!!

After break we get outside on the bikes and have a crash course in delivering mail. We ride around on the bikes in the parking lot of different obstacle in the road. We get soaking wet but have a good time. We head back inside around one take some id photos and then are sent on our way homes for day two. Day two will be an observation day at the branch, hopefully the weather gets better!?!?

Day 2

Day 2 starts out the same as day one, just not as early. I awake to heavy rain a pitch blackness. I head down to the Branch for 700. Today is an observation day, I tag along with a postie and see what goes on. It is very similar to US Post except that I am on a bike while deliver the mail. It doesn't suprise me that my first day out and about is in the pouring rain. Hey just like my dad says "If it wasnt for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all!"

I am following around Rhoda. She has been doing postie for far too long she tells me, but it keeps her slim so she enjoys it. I follow her every move, just like a stalker follows a stalkee. The day was going smoothly until we head out the door to start delivering the mail. I load the bikes on the bike rack and jump in the car. Rhoda drives out to the starting point with the bikes, and I follow. Good thing I follow because Rhoda hits a huge bumb and the bike rack comes off the car completely. So it takes awhile to get sorted but in the end we do. Then we get out to the starting point and Rhoda relises that she has forgotten the starting mail. She drives back while I sit in the car and wait for her return. She returns 15 minutes later and we are ready to strat the day in the rain.

I follow behind Rhoda on my bike. Remember the rain is pouring down still and will for the rest of the day. Of course it stops when we finish but only when we finish. So the following is pretty boring. The area I was in with Rhoda was rather hilly so it was not easy. I just could not wait to get out of the rain and into some dry clothes. After being out there for 2 hours my dream comes true. We have finished the mail and I can go home! The drive home was crazy because I had to drive on the Motorway for the first time by myself in a Hurricane! It was so heavy you could not see past the hood of the car. So much thunder and lightening it shook the car. It was a crazy experience. I drove carefully and made it home safely.

Day 3

Today back to the early rise, 515. Woke to pitch blackness, but no rain. it was a nice feeling. however that was short lived on the way down to the training school the rain picked up and was a mess. At training school it was rather boring just taking in information and practicing sorting. I will spare you all the details but it was extremely boring. They did let us out early. So after a wasted day in my eyes we were let out an hour early. Remember I get paid the whole day even if we get done early. If anyone wants details of the boringness let me know. I will strain and try to rememeber the boredom, but I can not make any promises that I will remember.

Day 4

Last Day of 515 wake up, YAY! Yes still darkness and yes there was rain. Today was supposed to be the "fun" day at the training school. HA yeah right, more boredom and information. We did more of the same from the day before. Practicing safe and healthy technique, sorting and sitting and listening to the instructor. However towards the end of the day we also had speakers come and talk to us about other aspects of NZ Post. We had a big long talk from a guy that is the head of security and he told us "Dont tamper and play with the mail! Dont steal or I will beat your ass and fire you!" (Imagine a big red haired dude 8 feet tall pointing his finger at you SCARY!) At the end of the day we had to take a test and needed 90% to pass. I scored 96%!

I know I know, "Why didnt you score a 100%?"

It doesnt matter thats why! I passed the exam and got my certificate! I was now officially a Postie and could start work for real.

In my opinion the training school is a big waste of time. They hold you hostige for three days and all you do is get information on top of information. If you ask me what I have learned I will tell you I cant remember. O well I got paid for the boredom. I guess it is the least they could do for us.

And that is Postie Training School!