Where is Darran?

Today was the first day on the Bottom Bus. Because the majority of tourists don’t visit the very south of New Zealand there is a separate bus system for these parts. The Kiwi Experience labels their service Bottom Bus. That out of the way, the first stop with the Bottom Bus is Dunedin. The drive to Dunedin was pleasant and uneventful. Dunedin is a major university town and was one of my favorites. Dunedin hosts many architecturally unique old buildings that have been well kept. One of those such buildings is the Dunedin Railway Station.

It is a quick stop. Make sure to check the Railway Station out. Next, we dropped our bags off at the hostel, On Top Backpackers. The hostel is on top of a pool hall and a bar. Definitely a place you could spend some time at if you were looking to relax and mingle. The rooms were good and the bathrooms were really nice. The hostel had some backpackers, but seemed to be more inhabited by students.

We got lucky and their happened to be a Rugby game the same day we were visiting Dunedin. Otago vs. Auckland. It was a good game, but the home team, Otago, lost. There is a lot of pride in Dunedin and the local crowd here seemed more vocal than the home game I saw at Moore Park(Sydney) on Australia day. Neither games compare to the Stateside college football experience.

After the game we went back to the hostel and then started a search for some food. We settled on a recommendation by our driver, Noodle Canteen. Well supported by uni kids, Noodle Canteen serves a variety of tasty dishes in a friendly and simple setting. Would definitely go back. I polished off my food and then finished off Vincent’s.

For a quiet day we sure did keep busy. After dinner we ventured out again and took a tour of the Speight’s brewery. The tour is quite lengthy and takes you not only through the history of Speight’s, but also through the history of beer. There is plenty of detail in the Speights brewery tour and the guide was very knowledgeable. Like the Monteiths brewery tour, the Speight’s brewery tour has all you can drink/pour beer at the end. If beer isn’t your thing, Speight’s provides a free tap outside their building serving deep spring water to the public free of charge. It is very good.

A great day already, Vincent talked me into a few games of pool and then we crashed.

Tour progress so far:

View New Zealand 2009 in a larger map

2010 Status Update (2010 is 5% over! I left home 554 days ago!):

Unfortunately, a plan for the 2010 goals at the bottom of the page is not complete yet, but I have already failed on a few goals already…oopsy. I got pretty lit Friday night to send off a few backpacker friends and I have still been getting some caffeine intake (reckon ~95% decrease based on 2009 intake). I am a little over 1/3 complete reading CCNA prep books, 1/3 through ISTQB(software testing) book, and making progress on a python programming tutorial and a Spanish language book I scooped up at the local library. Lastly, professional employment opportunities keep arising and I am still staying active.

Future (why planning isn’t complete)

The magnitude of difference between the decisions I seem to be presently confronted with is novel to me. Just for fun I made a flowchart displaying the current options as I see them. Options not taken into account and that can be pursued regardless of the path chosen include PHD, MBA, and being a bum. Jan. 31st deadline of deciding to fully pursue one of these options.

Why I don’t want to drink alcohol or caffeine.

Some people(pretty much all society) think it is awkward to have such goals. Here is my motivation:
Alcohol seems to make me stupid both during consumption and after consumption. I do not want to be stupid.
Caffeine seems to make me compulsive. I seem to see less of the big picture and be less open when under the influence of caffeine. I desire to see more of the big picture and be more open.

Next day on tour

I am looking to post the next day of the Kiwi Experience tour tonight. Looking to finally finish getting a post for each day documented online.

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Tier 1 Goals

Daily discipline – This is mainly directed at developing a solid sleep schedule and not getting caught up in fruitless activities
Professional Employment
International Ironman – Options listed in chronological order – South Afica, Japan, Nice, Regensberg, UK ~ 900 NZD just for entry (the amount of resources I have dedicated towards physical activity is )
CCNA – about 1/3 through the first book out of two – each test is 125 USD
ISTQB – ordered book – test is ~ 300 NZD
Develop idea of ideal living environment – current factors include current and future ideals and plans of government, society, air quality, disposition to cyclists, environmental stance, public transport, and standard quality of life metrics
Save Some Money
No Alcohol – self explanatory
No Caffeine – looking to limit psychoactive intakes
Expand diet in healthy ways and expand variety of meals – simplicity is good, but I eat pretty much the same thing every week. Not really tired of it, but something new might not hurt

Tier 2 Goals

Develop 5 Year Vision
Develop 3 Year Plan
Programming languages – Python, Perl, Shell, C, and PHP – studying Python/django now and have previously studied PHP and some Shell
Fluent in Spanish – Reading a refresher book on Spanish
Conversational in German or Mandarin

Tier 3 Goals

Get into Adventure Racing – still in Research phase
3:30 Marathon – Current best is 3:40 – End goal is to get 3:15 for Boston
Travel Southeast Asia, Japan, China, and/or Central Europe/UK
Get into sailing

As a side note, I have previously considered pursuing a PHD. Recently, I have been doing some more research into the idea. Who knows.

By now I would have expected to have posted the 2010 v2 plan, but it is taking longer to flush out. In the meantime I have been presented with a few more options to consider.

Yesterday, I got three contacts considering work. The first was from Sammy the Support Manager at NetQoS (now CA) considering a support position in Sydney. The second contact was a call from Telecom NZ with an interview on next Tuesday for a Test Analyst position. Finally, the third contact was a call from a Welshie friend named Gaz who said he put in a weeks notice and I could come and take his job at a rental car company cleaning cars, picking up customers, and transferring cars between branches. With these options, there is more to consider and I am doing due diligence on these scenarios while flushing out v2. Looking to make a decision on final direction by Jan. 31st and then attack with full force.

Simultaneously I am reading documentation on programming in Python and am about 60% through reading the first book to get a CCNA certification. Also, getting some good time in the local parks, pools, and roadways.

I had expected to have a timeline, budget, and a few decision branches outlined by now. However, I have only got as far as assigning priorities to current 2010 goals. Goals are prioritized by Tiers and roughly prioritized within Tiers. Aforementioned expectations expected to be delivered within the coming weeks.

Tier 1 Goals

Daily discipline – This is mainly directed at developing a solid sleep schedule and not getting caught up in fruitless activities
Professional Employment
International Ironman – Options listed in chronological order – South Afica, Japan, Nice, Regensberg, UK ~ 900 NZD just for entry (the amount of resources I have dedicated towards physical activity is )
CCNA – about 1/3 through the first book out of two – each test is 125 USD
ISTQB – ordered book – test is ~ 300 NZD
Develop idea of ideal living environment – current factors include current and future ideals and plans of government, society, air quality, disposition to cyclists, environmental stance, public transport, and standard quality of life metrics
Save Some Money
No Alcohol – self explanatory
No Caffeine – looking to limit psychoactive intakes
Expand diet in healthy ways and expand variety of meals – simplicity is good, but I eat pretty much the same thing every week. Not really tired of it, but something new might not hurt

Tier 2 Goals

Develop 5 Year Vision
Develop 3 Year Plan
Programming languages – Python, Perl, Shell, C, and PHP – studying Python/django now and have previously studied PHP and some Shell
Fluent in Spanish – Reading a refresher book on Spanish
Conversational in German or Mandarin

Tier 3 Goals

Get into Adventure Racing – still in Research phase
3:30 Marathon – Current best is 3:40 – End goal is to get 3:15 for Boston
Travel Southeast Asia, Japan, China, and/or Central Europe/UK
Get into sailing

As a side note, I have previously considered pursuing a PHD. Recently, I have been doing some more research into the idea. Who knows.

With a new year comes new initiatives. Learning from past experience, we can develop plans for future success.

Looking back:

A quick review of highlights from the past five years:

May 2005: Graduate UT Austin

June or July 2005: Travel Mid-West US solo

July 2005: Begin work with MAXIMUS

November 2005: First Running Event

February 2006: First Marathon

May 2006: First Triathlon

September 2006: Visit Europe

November 2006: Begin work with NetQoS

February 2007: Second Marathon

May 2007: Complete first Ironman

December 2007: Visit Antarctica

February 2008: Third Marathon

March 2008: Visit India

April 2008: Complete second Ironman

May 2008: Graduate St. Edward’s

July 2008: Leave NetQoS – Travel Africa

August 2008: Land in Australia

October 2008: First job in Australia, Mail Call

November 2008: Second job in Australia, Staff it

November 2008: Get lifeguard certified, third job, Lifeguard

March 2009: Finish first off-road marathon

April 2009: Complete third Ironman

May 2009: Fifth job in Australia, Global Asset Systems

August 2009: Land in New Zealand

September 2009: Complete touring New Zealand

December 2009: Get first job in New Zealand, Allied Work Force

I feel peak output was just prior to graduating from St. Edward’s. During this time I was taking 9 hours of graduate level courses and training for a second Ironman in 2008….and working full time. While things have slowed down since they peaked in 2008, the moves have become bigger and I believe the quality and sanity of my life has increased. Some of my priorities have remained the same, some have changed, and some have been translated to new outcomes. Additionally, in 2009 I have made progress in continuing to modify some previous behaviours that I felt and still feel were undesirable, inefficient, and inappropriate for future plans. As an individual, I like to travel light, streamline, and optimise. If it is not adding value, it doesn’t belong. Well, at least that is what I’d like to think.

Some less than ideal performances from last year:

I did not get permanent residence in New Zealand. I was offered Work to Residence. This seems to be the norm now that NZ unemployment is around 6.5%. They are making people get jobs before giving them permanent residence. Not a fan of carrots, but would like the permanent residence visa.

I did not complete the GMAT. I did not apply to business school. I didn’t make any progress on learning Chinese.

I wanted to complete a sub 3:30 marathon and a sub 5 hour Half Ironman. I did not do either of these or make much progress towards either one. Based on current training, I am still at previous levels.

It took me way too long to get a place in New Zealand. I didn’t move into a private residence for over 3 months. I did have some good times and definitely took it easy, but this was not was what was planned or prepared for. An obvious indicator of a breakdown in discipline and focus. Unfortunately, this was costly physically, mentally, and financially.

Analysis:

I could have submitted a better application for permanent residence, but it is up to the Immigration Officer to make the final call on which visa to grant. I know for certain that if I had been more focused I could have completed the GMAT and submitted an application for business school. I could have also been close to and possibly have completed a sub 3:30 marathon. The last shortcoming listed above could have easily have been avoided. In 2009 I lived day by day, something I hadn’t done in years. 2010 is looking to bring back more rigidity, but still maintain sanity and quality of life achieved in 2009.

Looking forward:

I have developed a list of goals for 2010. They are not ranked by priority.

Professional Employment

CCNA

ISTQB

Fourth Ironman – International

Fluent in Spanish

Conversational in German or Mandarin (both would be nice)

Adventure Racing

Programming languages

3:30 Marathon – Current best is 3:40 – End goal is to get 3:15 for Boston

Sobriety – no alcohol – Failed on this one in 2009 – Made it to April 5^th.

No Caffeine

Expand diet in healthy ways and expand variety of meals I cook

Travel Southeast Asia, Japan, China, and/or Central Europe/UK

Three/Five year plans

Develop idea of ideal living environment – make progress towards getting it

Daily discipline

The previous goals are a first draft and I will be coming up with a GANTT chart or some kind of diagram to aid in organizing efforts to achieving these goals. I know for certain that some of my goals have not been achieved because of lack of sufficient detail in estimating and planning for achieving goals.

Below are some random ramblings I have made on the idea of goals, immigrating to New Zealand and Australia, and the future. Please excuse this lazy post. The rest is literally ramblings. Organized post on 2010 will come shortly.

Main ideas are growing technological capabilities (more competitive in job market and for personal projects) – I still want to focus on managerial skills through the attainment of an MBA (but this has taken back seat(guess it is not really highest priority))

I am switching focus to running instead of triathlon. Looking forward to growing into Adventure Racing.

Thinking of coming up with cut off date for New Zealand (probably mid April) – I have some things I would like to accomplish in the next 3-5 years and as much as I like New Zealand and strongly desire obtaining permanent residence here, I need to get some professional work with professional level resources to obtain these goals. Furthermore, with more experience I will be more able to get permanent residence if I try again (whether in New Zealand or Australia or somewhere else) I think if I try again I will try Australia. If I knew things would have turned out the way they are now, I probably would have pursued a position with Global Asset Systems or headed back Stateside after Ironman Australia. Regardless the time spent in OZ and the time spent here in NZ has been invaluable in terms of lessons learned and experience.

Finally. with the unfortunate realization that I might not be able to make NZ work the first time around I will develop a list of items I value in a living environment and then search for a suitable place to relocate. It might end up being Austin due to strength of network there, but probably Portland. I am thinking Boston, Seattle, California, or somewhere in Colorado is also a possibility. The IT job market looks decently strong, but US unemployment is at 10% and NZ is at ~ 6% so it might be the same story in the States. I believe I am better suited to compete in the US right now though. New Zealand is a completely different ball game than Australia. They are very similar in many ways, but the ways they differ economically and culturally make it a huge challenge for a newcomer. I have been reading forums on the Internet about immigrating to NZ and they are full of bitter people with horror stories from trying to make it here. I won’t be bitter, but it is definitely a testament to the challenges. Finally on the subject, I do not think I have been fully applying myself to this initiative. I think that this is because of the size and nature of the initiative I am still analyzing the implications of it and this is detracting from identifiable forward progress in getting professional work, the first step in the New Zealand scenario. New Zealand seems right, but unfortunately might be premature at this time.