It's been a year now since we were granted our visa...How it has flown by, and I think we have done more in this last year than in the last 10 put together... The emotions of leaving all you have known, to come to a place that is english speaking but oh so very different is certainly a shock to the system..In our opinion Australia is a third world country without the resources that England has to offer....You can never ever fully appreciate anything about Australia until you actually live here and no amount of reccies will do that.. Australia is a beautiful country with lots to offer for families, it just takes a fair bit of getting used to... It really is all about starting over, like being a young'un who has left the security of a loving home with parents to venture into the unknown.. Paul and Gabz have been here almost a year. Gabz has excelled in everything, she is loving school, out of school activities and to know everytime she goes out of the door alone without fear of being set upon is wonderful to have..Gabz has a glow which she never ever had in England, she has made many friends and is loving her life..It is just how a 13 year old should be at that age..She swims everyday, is in the school soccer team, she cycles..I never worry about her going out of the house like I did in England.. Of course we still get the I'm bored from her but nowhere near as many times as she was "back home" Paul...He came out as a plasterer and did it for a short while before chucking it in to work on the Brisbane Tunnel..There is such a huge change in him it really is good to see..His earnings are extremely high and it means we can live comfortably and do the things we really want to do..He has made lots of friends at work and of course with now Eddie n Tina and Lisa and Dave locally we are having great times.. Of course we struggled a little when we first got here, mainly me missing my family so much but luckily we have a great support network with Pauls family.. We rented in an area we didnt really like when we first got here but only as rentals are so few and far between..Finally we then rented again in Beerwah and even Pauls aussie buddies at work say he lives in PPOA..When I asked him what it meant he said, they reckon its the Poshest Part of Australia,,Of course I am going to agree with them but I am bias :) We have just bought our first house and its such a feel good feeling knowing that we now own a little bit of Australia...I feel like the last year we have been living out of boxes so it is going to be so nice to finally unpack all of our things and call somehwere home.. We were so lucky with our present landlords as we are going to be breaking our lease, they have been so understanding and have told us not to worry about anything which was so nice..Beerwah is currently a much sought after area so we will have no problem finding someone to rent this place to...The house prices here have gone up $50,000 in the last 6 months alone so it really is a good time to buy here.. The months ahead are going to be busy as I have family and friends coming over in every month from July onwards until January... If I think to much about "home" it does upset me...I miss just the little things like calling up friends and just going out on the spur of the moment..Paul however is loving the tranquility as in England we always had friends over and were busy busy all of the time... Life is so much better here, I just forget that sometimes...The weather, even though it has rained almost non stop since my arrival in August has been warm..It is just starting to change now and I am sure I am starting to get the first signs of hayfever as I am sneezing all the time..Strange with it being Autumn and all.. We are now at a stage where everything is sorted..The first few months are spent rushing around getting stuff together and at times I wanted to scream...It felt like it was like a never ending process but finally we did it... When I think back on the last 2 and a half years it has been non stop worry...That is all gone now..We dont have streses like we did in England..The only thing I stress about now is the kids we left behind..They are both well and so really thats not a stress anymore...We dont stress over bills and taxes..We actually live now we dont just exist... I can't say that I will always live in Australia, although Paul can...We will stay long enough to get our citizenships..It will then give us more choice..I am sure by then though that Australia will have become my home.. I have got used to the spiders, I think..Well the big ones in Engalnd have now become small ones to me so I am on the right track.. Thankfuly it has worked for us...Paul is happy, my kids are happy so of course I am happy.. well most of the time anyhow.. For those of you about to embark on your journey..Dont expect it all to come at once..Dont think it is going to be all surf sun and sex cause it aint...its bloody hard work and can break the best of us..Just think of where you want to be in 10 years...It will make you work for it and when you work at stuff doesnt it always turn out better??? For us, being in Oz has breathed life into us that was long forgotten in England and I will say once again.. Thanks Australia for giving us this chance.. Jo x
Flipping 'ell Jo, your posts always have this effect on me !!!
I cant believe its been a year since you we're granted that visa........ the morning of our Brighton trip if I remember correctly !!!!! Seems so long ago now, as so much has happened.
I also remember you being the first to reply to my first PIO posts and offer your advice/help/experience and your still at it !!!!!
If anyone deserves to be happy in Oz its you, Jo.
Like you say, it sure aint easy (being here nearly four months myself now, has made me more than qualified to say it........ ) but life is what you make it, where ever you are in the world.
I wish you all the luck & lots of fun & happiness for you, Paul, Gabz & Charlie, in your new home...... just a shame you live all the way up in Queensland or I would have loved to come to the house warming party !!!! Take care sweetie Sally-ann xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
__________________ Finally living in Mount Martha, Melbourne......... and loving it !!!!!!!!! TRA passed - Feb. 07 ...........Visa granted (136- General Plumber) 14th June !!!!!!!! Landed in Oz 9th December 2007!!! PIO Skilled Trades database for Victoria: http://www.freewebs.com/victorianskilledtraderslist/index.htm
It sure is Sal...Blimey how far we both have come eh!!! I am so glad you are here and even though so very far away I feel more at ease knowing I have friends somewhere in this huge land...There will be loads of time for partying girl, you so know anytime you wanna be here just yell... For us both it has been a long journey but hey, we did it girl :) PJW...I did mean third world, yes life is simple, yes the aussies are too in my opinion..I dont think I will ever get over the women not taking care of thier appearance once they get to motherhood...They really do dress like tramps most of the time...Maybe it's just me being picky, I to dont take as much pride in my appearance as I used to..OMG..Never thought I would say that!!! I just feel on the whole that Australians are dippy...They have no ooomph and appear to be at the best of times a bit simple..Australians really do have no sense of humour as we know it...For me especially I feel the lack of intellectual conversation is draining (Eddie, Tina and Lisa n Dave excluded) But...Yes you are right, it is an easier way of life here with a no worries attitude..Coming from the hustle and bustle of England it does just take getting used to..There is less variety in food, and I think it is very pricey..That being said the fruit, veg and meat are to die for especially in the summer months... Life is good, life in fact is great... Jo x
I think that is what I am going to feel like even though I am not there yet will be up then down etc but I think it will always be like that as we are used to different things and I suppose your upbringing dosen't change over night becasue you are in a different country.
I am not looking forward to the ups and downs and being the only ones no mum and dad to back us up but if my children are doing well in school and they are happy running round the parks etc then I know why I went for however long I stay there.
Here's to another year for you Jo
Good Luck
Debzsx
__________________ Life is not a dress rehersal, U only live once!!
Brisbane bound
Appli to TAFE 21/04/08
Place accepted 25/04/08
Hi Debz...I havent been here a year, Paul and Gabz have been here a year in May, but we got our visa last April :) I followed on in August last year with our son.. I dont want it to sound as if I cant stand the aussies as they really do have the nicest hearts I think anyone could have..The smiles on thier faces everyday is a sight to see..They love thier land and I am blessed to be able to share it...It is tough at times not having family back up but you can do it...Being on PIO for so long has given us chance to make so many friends, without them I would have gone mad...Just wanna say when times get tough in the first year (and their will be many) not to give in..I dont think anyone can give it a fair go in just 6 months or even a year...The first few months will seem like an extended holiday, but you soon do settle in and feel more at home...The aussies are just the way they are and big up to them...It sure is a shock to the system to know you actually can live without the things you took for granted "back home"..I am quite embarrased to think that actually I was far to materialistic in England... Still, even after all I have said, I love it here..I really really love it... Jo x
yes doesnt time fly i cant beleive that its a year since we sent off our visa application, you were the first person to answer my questions too! glad its all going so well for you and hope it will be the same for us when we leave in 5 weeks time.
donna
__________________
arrived in adelaide 14th may 08
..an excellent post Jo..i was just reading a thread about saying goodbye to everyone and everything and how it feels..it can be stomach churning and so hard..i think this is why posts like yours are invaluable, because it shows even though we all have to go through it..(there is no way around it!)..there is a way out the other side where very slowly you can readjust..not maybe to call Aus home, but to start to fit in and enjoy this experience..what a process eh?..as you say no amount of holidays or fact finding visits do it..for my OH it probably took three years before he really embraced it..which you can do and still be fiercely patriotic..well done to you and your family and all the best.. Tess
So wrong,, they wear what they want & do what they want who needs layres of makeup. beerwah is not posh its the overspill from the coast cant afford the coast go inland to beerwah, all property is going up but rural areas are going up faster as very few can afford the coast,may be you guys will wake up to what oz is about ,,being happy & injoying life not chasing the next dollar
... not the people !!!! x
well said josephine
