Last week I ordered a 10kg box of stonefruit from an orchard near Palmerston North. I wondered where it had got to when it didn't arrive by Monday morning so I emailed the orchard. The girl I was dealing with, who has been great, said it was sent on Thursday for overnight delivery and it should have arrived Friday. I was so confused. Just as I was responding to her - I wonder where its gotten to? my neighbour to the side knocked on the door and there was my box. She was really nice about it, she'd just found it on her doorstep. She said "It does look a bit worse for wear."
And it did. The box lid was open (possibly she grabbed it by the top and it accidentally came undone) and half the fruit was rotten and moldy or next to moldy fruit and therefore contaminated. It stunk. One of the peaches was half eaten. I was horrified. I spent the next half hour pulling out the fruit I was going to bin and freezing most of what was left (to stop it going off before I could eat it).
I made a yummy dark purple plum smoothie out of some of it and taste tested a couple of items which were so divinely delicious that I really think I ought to buy direct from orchards from now on. Theres such a difference in taste between food at a supermarket or even fruit and veg store and buying from a local producer. I think thats why the popularity of farmers markets.
I wasn't going to do anything about it but the next time I checked my email the orchard had written asking when it was received because it should have arrived friday.
I went on the PBTrace courier website and put in my trace number - the fruit was picked up thursday 5pm, arrived in hamilton 10:20am on friday, sat somewhere for the whole weekend, and was delivered (to the wrong house) at 1:30pm on the monday. Then when my neighbour got home a couple of hours later she brought it over to me. I can't believe they would just dump a perishable item for the whole weekend when they had all day friday to deliver it out to the correct address.
I vented and texted a couple of friends and family members, then in the end I emailed the orchard. It wasn't their fault at all, but i was disappointed in the courier and I told them so.
I just received an email apologizing for the condition of the fruit (even though it wasn't the orchards fault) and offering to send a replacement batch - which offer i am completely delighted with, and I've just sent an email to say yes and thank you. She said they have repeatedly told the courier company that the items must be delivered overnight as they are perishable - but obviously the company is not listening at all. What a bunch of idiots.
So that was a good result from a bad situation.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Spillages and Breakages
Today I accidentally dropped a whole big jar of Jaffas and got to see all the glass shards splatter across the floor, sending the jaffas scurrying in all directions under chairs, tables and all over the carpet. This was in the VIP lounge at work just as people were starting to enter. I felt so dumb. It took forever to scoop them all up, especially as they had a tendency to run away again just as they were being collected. My workmate was so nice about it, but I felt really bad.
It wasn't the first thing today I dropped or broke. It started after shopping this morning when I was grabbing my things out of my sisters car to go put them in mine. Somehow the grocery bag hooked on something in her car and snagged and when I went to pull it the bottom fell out and spilled my recently purchased food items (luckily nothing perishable) all over the road.
Not long before that I was in the public toilet at the library trying to use the liquid soap dispenser. I couldn't figure out how there was a full bag of soap in there but none of it was coming out. I thought if i made a small tear in the bag it would start working, however my "small tear" inadvertently became a "large rip" and before I knew it all that soap was spilling out of the bag into the sink and down the drain. I felt bad that I was the only one who got any use out of the soap, what a waste.
So yes, by the time I killed the jaffas, I was used to being a klutz, it almost seemed like a normal and natural thing to have happen. I was so gross and sweaty and tired from walking around all day that it just seemed like one more bad thing wouldn't matter that much.
Coz after that it didn't improve - we were short staffed, had several delays in our arriving flights, which meant flights tomorrow delayed, spending a few hours ringing people to give them the bad news that their flights tomorrow are delayed or cancelled, as well as a number of bags that never showed up off the flight, all made for a very interesting evening.
It wasn't the first thing today I dropped or broke. It started after shopping this morning when I was grabbing my things out of my sisters car to go put them in mine. Somehow the grocery bag hooked on something in her car and snagged and when I went to pull it the bottom fell out and spilled my recently purchased food items (luckily nothing perishable) all over the road.
Not long before that I was in the public toilet at the library trying to use the liquid soap dispenser. I couldn't figure out how there was a full bag of soap in there but none of it was coming out. I thought if i made a small tear in the bag it would start working, however my "small tear" inadvertently became a "large rip" and before I knew it all that soap was spilling out of the bag into the sink and down the drain. I felt bad that I was the only one who got any use out of the soap, what a waste.
So yes, by the time I killed the jaffas, I was used to being a klutz, it almost seemed like a normal and natural thing to have happen. I was so gross and sweaty and tired from walking around all day that it just seemed like one more bad thing wouldn't matter that much.
Coz after that it didn't improve - we were short staffed, had several delays in our arriving flights, which meant flights tomorrow delayed, spending a few hours ringing people to give them the bad news that their flights tomorrow are delayed or cancelled, as well as a number of bags that never showed up off the flight, all made for a very interesting evening.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
To my friends
The one who challenged me and forced me to stop silently accepting the opinions of others
The one who brought to my attention that I had issues which I never was aware of before
The one who demanded things of me, by unnerving me, annoying me and getting in my face and my life, even when I tried not to notice
The one who pushed me to try new things and consider ideas that I never would have thought of otherwise
The one who confronted me, argued with me, teased me
The one who made me laugh with clever uses of words, accents and mocking
The one who told me I was smart, intelligent, funny & pretty, and made me believe it
The one who helped me, looked out for me, cared about me
The one who fed me when I was sick, listened to me when I was down, calmed me when I was feeling overwhelmed
The one who created a space where it felt safe for me to share my feelings
The one who loved me & took a piece of my heart in return
“Friendships a treasure to keep and to hold
A shade in the desert a fire in the cold
Man with his myriad woes and cares
Can carry them bravely when friendship shares
Whoever you are, I wish this for you
May you have a true friend and to him be true.”
Anon
The one who brought to my attention that I had issues which I never was aware of before
The one who demanded things of me, by unnerving me, annoying me and getting in my face and my life, even when I tried not to notice
The one who pushed me to try new things and consider ideas that I never would have thought of otherwise
The one who confronted me, argued with me, teased me
The one who made me laugh with clever uses of words, accents and mocking
The one who told me I was smart, intelligent, funny & pretty, and made me believe it
The one who helped me, looked out for me, cared about me
The one who fed me when I was sick, listened to me when I was down, calmed me when I was feeling overwhelmed
The one who created a space where it felt safe for me to share my feelings
The one who loved me & took a piece of my heart in return
“Friendships a treasure to keep and to hold
A shade in the desert a fire in the cold
Man with his myriad woes and cares
Can carry them bravely when friendship shares
Whoever you are, I wish this for you
May you have a true friend and to him be true.”
Anon
Monday, February 20, 2012
Rarotonga
Went to Rarotonga for 5 nights last week - it was beautiful! I'm so glad I went. Despite my workmates warning that it was cyclone season, and the rainy weather forecast just before we left, we had the best weather while we were there! (My aunty and I). We had one morning where it was a little bit drizzly and cloudy, but every other day was sunny, hot and blue sky everywhere.
We stayed at the Edgewater Resort, which turned out much better than the online reviews had led me to believe. Someone I know had some things stolen from their room while they were there - apparently all the hotels are having troubles at the moment with staff thievery, so we made sure to keep all our passports and spare cash in our in-room safe whenever we went out.
We did a lagoon cruise, a 4wd drive safari tour, and Te Vara Nui night show/village tour and dinner. We also spent a night at Trader Jacks bar/restaurant in town and at Cocoputt mini golf. I loved it. I loved the food. Tropical fruit and coconut every morning, fruit smoothies and snack food for lunch, mocktails in the afternoon.
My favourite mocktail was at Te Vara Nui, it was made of chocolate, peanut butter, milk and cream. I decided to attempt to recreate it when I got home. I bought the ingredients but I haven't tried it yet. The coconut cream smoothies were also delicious, probably very fattening but so good. Cafe Jireh by the airport made the best one, peach coconut, we had one just before we left.
They have one public waterfall, Wigmores, which is lovely but unfortunately overridden with mozzies. We got the bus around which was convenient and cheap but if I went again I'd definately get a scooter so I can stop wherever I want whenever I want.
I never knew how closely linked Raro maori was with NZ maori, the language is so similar, they say vaka where we say waka and they say "Are" where we would say "Whare". We were shown a place called the departure point, where the NZ waka are said to have left from, they now have a commemorative plaque there to remember the 7, including Tainui (my one).
I had to buy a couple of sarongs after more than one lesson on several different ways to tie one which was awesome and informative. We also learnt how to climb a coconut tree, how to husk and open a coconut, and how to make coconut cream (yum!) and its good for your skin.
The $55 departure tax was a bit of a sting in the tail, apparently the old terminal was much nicer (so said a canadian lady we met who has visited Rarotonga about 30 times) but that would be my only complaint.
My aunty now wants us to plan another trip back so she can plan a visit to Aitutaki. I'm not that fussed about Aitutaki, but i wouldn't mind going back to do some more snorkeling, which I came to love while I was there.
We stayed at the Edgewater Resort, which turned out much better than the online reviews had led me to believe. Someone I know had some things stolen from their room while they were there - apparently all the hotels are having troubles at the moment with staff thievery, so we made sure to keep all our passports and spare cash in our in-room safe whenever we went out.
We did a lagoon cruise, a 4wd drive safari tour, and Te Vara Nui night show/village tour and dinner. We also spent a night at Trader Jacks bar/restaurant in town and at Cocoputt mini golf. I loved it. I loved the food. Tropical fruit and coconut every morning, fruit smoothies and snack food for lunch, mocktails in the afternoon.
My favourite mocktail was at Te Vara Nui, it was made of chocolate, peanut butter, milk and cream. I decided to attempt to recreate it when I got home. I bought the ingredients but I haven't tried it yet. The coconut cream smoothies were also delicious, probably very fattening but so good. Cafe Jireh by the airport made the best one, peach coconut, we had one just before we left.
They have one public waterfall, Wigmores, which is lovely but unfortunately overridden with mozzies. We got the bus around which was convenient and cheap but if I went again I'd definately get a scooter so I can stop wherever I want whenever I want.
I never knew how closely linked Raro maori was with NZ maori, the language is so similar, they say vaka where we say waka and they say "Are" where we would say "Whare". We were shown a place called the departure point, where the NZ waka are said to have left from, they now have a commemorative plaque there to remember the 7, including Tainui (my one).
I had to buy a couple of sarongs after more than one lesson on several different ways to tie one which was awesome and informative. We also learnt how to climb a coconut tree, how to husk and open a coconut, and how to make coconut cream (yum!) and its good for your skin.
The $55 departure tax was a bit of a sting in the tail, apparently the old terminal was much nicer (so said a canadian lady we met who has visited Rarotonga about 30 times) but that would be my only complaint.
My aunty now wants us to plan another trip back so she can plan a visit to Aitutaki. I'm not that fussed about Aitutaki, but i wouldn't mind going back to do some more snorkeling, which I came to love while I was there.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Adele : Someone like you
Fell in love with this song on the plane ride to Rarotonga. Here are the lyrics:
"Someone Like You"
I heard that you're settled down
That you found a girl and you're married now.
I heard that your dreams came true.
Guess she gave you things I didn't give to you.
Old friend, why are you so shy?
Ain't like you to hold back or hide from the light.
I hate to turn up out of the blue uninvited
But I couldn't stay away, I couldn't fight it.
I had hoped you'd see my face and that you'd be reminded
That for me it isn't over.
Never mind, I'll find someone like you
I wish nothing but the best for you too
Don't forget me, I beg
I remember you said,
"Sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead,
Sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead, "
Yeah
You know how the time flies
Only yesterday was the time of our lives
We were born and raised
In a summer haze
Bound by the surprise of our glory days
I hate to turn up out of the blue uninvited
But I couldn't stay away, I couldn't fight it.
I'd hoped you'd see my face and that you'd be reminded
That for me it isn't over.
Never mind, I'll find someone like you
I wish nothing but the best for you too
Don't forget me, I beg
I remember you said,
"Sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead."
Yeah
Nothing compares
No worries or cares
Regrets and mistakes
They are memories made.
Who would have known how bittersweet this would taste?
Never mind, I'll find someone like you
I wish nothing but the best for you
Don't forget me, I beg
I remember you said,
"Sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead."
"Someone Like You"
I heard that you're settled down
That you found a girl and you're married now.
I heard that your dreams came true.
Guess she gave you things I didn't give to you.
Old friend, why are you so shy?
Ain't like you to hold back or hide from the light.
I hate to turn up out of the blue uninvited
But I couldn't stay away, I couldn't fight it.
I had hoped you'd see my face and that you'd be reminded
That for me it isn't over.
Never mind, I'll find someone like you
I wish nothing but the best for you too
Don't forget me, I beg
I remember you said,
"Sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead,
Sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead, "
Yeah
You know how the time flies
Only yesterday was the time of our lives
We were born and raised
In a summer haze
Bound by the surprise of our glory days
I hate to turn up out of the blue uninvited
But I couldn't stay away, I couldn't fight it.
I'd hoped you'd see my face and that you'd be reminded
That for me it isn't over.
Never mind, I'll find someone like you
I wish nothing but the best for you too
Don't forget me, I beg
I remember you said,
"Sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead."
Yeah
Nothing compares
No worries or cares
Regrets and mistakes
They are memories made.
Who would have known how bittersweet this would taste?
Never mind, I'll find someone like you
I wish nothing but the best for you
Don't forget me, I beg
I remember you said,
"Sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead."
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