Are you a giver? Birthday wish, and please also keep clicking that link to the TunaFish website!

In my last post I mentioned I was planning something for Christmas and my birthday (2 January). The something I was planning involves you, and your money. This is not sounding good, is it? Please give me a chance to explain.

Because I am practically in a different country every year, most of you haven't had to buy me any birthday presents for a while now (ok, I do realise that this works both ways and that you probably also didn't get a present from me on your birthday, but that's not really the point in this post). This year, even though I couldn't physically be further away from most of the people I know, I wanted to ask you for a birthday gift. Or Christmas gift, if that's more your thing.
Lately I've been reading a bunch of books about the Tao and related stuff, and I was inspired by the idea of needing less, giving more. This led to the plan to ask you to help me raise some money for a good cause. So your gift to me would be money that we can give to people that need it more than I do.

I talked about this plan with a few people and they were pessimistic and didn't think it would work. The word 'recession' was mentioned. But really guys? Please don't tell me you can afford two more drinks, but can't spend that same money on something/someone that really needs it. I refuse to think that's you, so I still believe that you are generous and would love to give something, no matter how small the amount. If I am right, you can click on the 'Donate' button on the right (I'm very proud of my geeky me that managed to set this up). This button links to PayPal which allows you to donate with your credit card, of from your own PayPal account if you have one. The money goes into my PayPal account and you can leave a message too I think. I promise you that I will NOT keep the money for myself (unless that's your specific wish of course).

If you don't want to use this option please email me and I will send you my bank details (Dutch, Australian or Kiwi).

As for the good cause, I have a few in mind but find it very hard to choose so suggestions are welcome. I will let you know which one I picked. Once again, any amount is welcome, and I will donate something myself as well.

I picked a cause! I've decided to donate the money to the Liliane Foundation (Liliane Fonds). This is a Dutch organisation that helps handicapped children in developing countries. I picked this one because a family friend with years and years of experience in this industry recommended it to me as an organisation that doesn't pocket your money for themselves. They only have a Dutch website: http://www.lilianefonds.nl/, so if you want to know more and can't read Dutch let me know! I've been thinking about my own contribution, and decided I will sign up to give them a monthly donation.

And to keep up the spirit of giving, I don't have anything tangible to give, but I do want to tell you all that I miss spending time with you and really think the main downside of travelling is that I don't get to spend nearly as much time with you as I'd like. Then again, some of you I'd never have met if I hadn't done this travelling!

One thank you in particular to B&F for supporting everything I do in every imaginable way!

And last but not least, a repeat of the request for my personal benefit: please click this link (clicking it is all you need to do).

Good news

Just a really short update to let you know I finally got my visitor's permit changed into a working holiday permit. A word of advice for all of you thinking of coming to New Zealand: apply for your visa before you get here. Seems obvious doesn't it? So you're wondering why I didn't do that? Because I am stupid?

Nope. I really tried to complete my work visa application online (I'd already filled in most of it), but I kept getting a pop-up window saying 'Sorry, this website is currently unavailable'. I then called the immigration office and the girl I spoke to assured me I could just come to New Zealand, get a visitor's permit at the airport and then change it to a work permit later.

She was right, it can be done. It just takes a lot more time, and the system will automatically ask you to do a full medical exam. To cut a long story short, my application was approved yesterday, and I didn't have to do a medical.

On a very different note, I am planning a little something for Christmas and my birthday, so please keep checking in because I will post it online soon. Actually, I will be emailing you about it too, so there'll be no escaping it.

Also, if you are reading this (and I know you are, because well, you're reading this), I'd love to hear from you through the comment section. Most of you are not too familiar with the blogging world but you'd be surprised what happens out there/in here. (It's wild man! Or, you know, just fun)

Last but not least, I am entering a competition to win a ticket around the world. Jesus, has she still not travelled enough?! No, I haven't. I will address this subject soon. For now though, I need your help (read: a mere click of the mouse) to win, so please click here to see the website of my travel agency, TunaFish. The more hits they get via my blog the more chances I have of winning the ticket. I'll be forever grateful and will bring chocolate/speculaas/cheese when I visit you on my trip.
Don't worry though, this blog is not all for personal gain. The Christmas/birthday thing involves this competition but also something else, so stay tuned!