Sunday 28th May – 12:16pm. It’s my last day off before I head up to Auckland, so I’ve decided to catch up on my journal with a coffee. I also just ordered soup for the first time ever…

The last week I have mainly been working, trying unsuccessfully to not spend money, and concentrate on my last few rugby opportunities in New Zealand. I have had particularly bad hours over the last few weeks, so haven’t been able to save anything. My current monetary situation is a far cry from the substantial fortune I was expecting to save. Before I arrived I calculated I would be working for 10 weeks, and hardly spending anything on food and rent. In my deluded mind this equated to over $4000 savings. In actual fact, I had to pay for several CCUSA and ISTC things, I had to pay for flights here and there, for tickets here and there, for fuel to and from rugby, and of course for food and drink. Due to my ‘mass’ outgoings, my bank account currently reads $74.94, and I owe sam £75 for something or other. I would complain, but I’ve found as long as I know when the next payment is coming in, I don’t mind too much.

As savings go, I am expecting a weeks wages tomorrow, on top of 50 hours holiday pay. I then have 3 more days of work from Monday-Wednesday, and am also entitled to a tax rebate. If all goes to plan, I will enjoy my last 2 weeks in New Zealand, live fruitfully, and still take £1000 savings with me… here’s hoping. I know it will be closer to £500, but at least I am going to a job in America with free rent and food, and being a returner to camp I also get my sign up fee refunded!

It feels like I worry too much about money, but my only worry is having to go home because I physically cant afford to carry on. After seeing some amazing pictures from central america I’ve decided it’s where I want to visit next, after Canada that is.

I played my last game for the Prem’s yesterday, in a 17-9 win against Clyde. This time I played a total of 6 minutes, and touched the ball… ONCE. I could get caught up the small things, but i’m just glad I got some game time in. Glyna the coach came up to me half way through the second half and said ‘Ah Joey you’re a good cunt aye, get on and enjoy your last game of footie in New Zealand’. It was one of the most Kiwi things I had ever heard, and I was still chuckling to myself as I jogged onto the field. At the end of the day we won, and I played, so that’s all that matters for me. After the game I had a few casual beers, and drove back to Cardrona to watch the Super Rugby games in the bar.

It’s my first day off in ages today, so I got up, ordered some soup and caught up on the super rugby highlights from the weekend. That’s the thing i’m going to miss the most – every Friday/Saturday/Sunday night the country just turns into a nation for SuperRugby, and it dominates every bar. I want to come back, but am just trying to work out the best logistics on how to do it. Maybe after Canada next year, to catch the end of the season…