It's not what you know . . .

It's who you know. Or so they say. Whoever "they" are. If this statement is indeed true, it kinda sucks trying to get a job in a new country with no contacts. Hopefully this might be starting to change . . .

About a week ago, I was working in the knitting store, and helping a customer find appropriate needles, when she turned to me, and said "You're not a Kiwi. Where are you from?" I told her I was Canadian, and was rewarded with a hug. Turns out she too was a Canadian, and was excited to find another "one of us".

We got to chatting a bit, and I asked her if she was visiting, or living, and why New Zealand. She explained that she and her husband had come over in 2008, having applied for residency while still in Canada. I replied that I was applying for residency, but due to my own stupidity, I had not had a criminal record check done while in Canada, and was now waiting on that. She assured me that I should have no problems getting everything approved. I agreed, saying that my husband is a Kiwi, and that I'm a teacher, so I have training, and am qualified. She smiled, and replied "You too? Where do you teach?" Nowhere at the moment. Well, this lovely lady was determined to change that. She explained that she had been working last year half time at one school, doing relieving at the same school most of the rest of the time. She was now working full time, which meant that the school was down a reliever. How did I feel about her passing my name on as someone willing to work?

HOW DID I FEEL?!? Freakin' fantastic, that's how! Please, pass it on. Here's my email, my phone number. My registration? Got it right here! Need a urine sample? Not a problem. My first born? Where do I sign?

After selling this lovely lady her needles, she asked if I knew of any knitting groups around. I invited her to join the crafty group I attend on Wednesdays, and yesterday she did just that. While there, she let me know that she had got a call from another school, asking if she were still available for relieving. She replied that she was not, but knew someone who was. She told me that she hoped she had not overstepped herself, passing my name along without asking me. I assured her that she had not, and was welcome to pass out my name and info to any school that might ask. Her reply? "Sure, I'll do my best to pimp you out where ever possible."

Maybe I'm starting to know some people . . .