BrownEyedGal

Morning! Just to update everyone. I have now been living in my unit for 8 weeks..yippee! Best move ever. I finally chose Momentum (Tasmania) for the electricity and went with Vivid Wireless 4g internet. Unfortunately Vivid didn't work out for me but their customer service was top notch and I would definitely recommend them. So no internet provider yet, just using what I have with my mobile. Have furnished unit with mostly free stuff off the streets..cool! Thanks for all the pm's and positive messages. BEGal

What a wonderful outcome Metoo. Your cat is devine I love cats. Sadly mine disappeared years ago. But I do remember the worry and strain I went through when she was really poorly and I had to be away on a course. I remember the first time I got her, I was cuddling her and then threw her off my lap, as I could see these little black things running through her fur..I was so shocked, I had never come across fleas before!!!! (She did forgive me, but not all the medication she had to have to get rid of them). To me she was the cleverest cat in the whole world. She would check the road was clear before crossing over, we lived in the city. She would look out for me when I got home and come racing along the high fences of all the neighbours to get to the flat. Yep I have some amazing stories about her. I would love to have another one but no pets allowed.

Well I said any information will do!! Okay I have gathered that some people like to reply to these posts, whether with information or their opinion. Never trust a man that says "trust me" and I personally like to "sweat the small stuff". Peach and Rupert, if you don't know then fine, as I'm sure you will both be of help to someone else on PIO now and in the future, just not me today. I ask because I DON'T KNOW..its as Adonna has pointed out, its an open forum to seek advice, comments, experiences. I was primarily after companies with good customer service more than perhaps cost. Thanks BEGal

Hi All I'm moving into a unfurnished unit in January and want to source the best electric company and the best internet company. I want an electric company that has good customer service as well as being cheap - do any do scheme where they give u money back if you haven't used a lot etc (or something like that)? I know you can't have it all but I will have a damn good try!!!! For the wifi internet - I need really good internet connections. I'm not to sure about having television - digital or otherwise. I've managed to live without a tv for the last few months and its quite nice. However I thought it may be useful to have a 'landline' telephone as well as internet. Also I have seven working days to do the house checks etc when I move in. I've been around twice and already noted damage, wear and tear but how do i keep good records of this - I thought a video would be good but then how do I store it and give the agents/landlord a copy - disc? Anyhow any ideas, tips, or not so helpful advice I will be pleased to receive. BEGal - presently waiting to get out of the current landlady's clutches. p.s. I'm sure she's gonna stiff me for my 4 weeks 'bond' as I am a lodger and we don't have many rights. p.p.s comments appreciated on house contents insurance too?

OMG dmjg...you are SOOOOOO prepared!..I'm good but not that good. I've stopped sending - costs way too much - so they get stuff that I wrapped in newspaper when I was last home - heheh. I told them where it all is and they can collect at their leisure..I put post-it notes on them. Well, I barely had time to do it, let alone do it properly. Anyhooo its the thought that counts!!! LOL

I agree with jasepom.. I really like the bacon here..none of that white curdly stuff comes out when frying, (well very little) and I like the taste. My only problem is I can't get it crispy..unless I have the grill on high. Maybe because I like back bacon?

Great thread Okay BEGal has got her confused head on...so please be gentle! Questions - After you've done the obligatory 1 year on the PR visa and not been out of the country for 12 months, CAN you then go out of the country? Or will travel out of the country be added to any period you accrued during your 4 years of waiting etc? And/or when you get through everything, does any time still get added to those months accrued? My year on PR ends in April 2014, so I want to apply asap. I'm not good at communicating this but I notice that the ceremonies are a few months after you've taken the test and been approved...I am wondering if all of the waiting time gets added? I ask because I want to go back to the UK next year and don't want to travel until I have at least sat the test and been approved. Not sure I can wait until the ceremony. I hope I've explained myself properly there.

OMG is that what it stands for...LMAO...ROFL...hahahaha..seriously thought it was about HR/Human Resources too...oh dear..

Hi CandyGirl Any updates with this predicament? Hoping its positive.

Sure can! Not sure if you will get the temporary or full as I don't know your situation but yes you can start your application now. As far as I'm aware you will continue to be on your current visa until Immigration advise the outcome of your de-facto application. BEGal

YOU need to take the power back. You are armed with brilliant information from those here. I strongly agree with Diane. This is workplace bullying at its worse form. I cannot stand to see you suffer. You must take the time off sick with stress, Use that time to rest, gather and read up on the information provided here. When you do go back to work, do not have any private one-to-one conversations as these will indeed get distorted. Continue to document how you feel, time date and location. Again I state re-read the opinions here. They will give you more strength and this is a safe place to say how you feel. You do not have to be pleasant any more than you would normally. So if a similar incident happens where she is yelling, just very calmly state you can hear perfectly well. For some of these situations where you are scared you should practice at home what you want to say and how you say it and keep practicing. It will help you enormously. Do not give this woman power - If this situation was happening at home we would call it Domestic Violence.

I agree with Quoll. Definitely get it unlocked - don't do it online, go into your dealer's shop and talk to whoever the kid is that looks like they have the most knowledge! I had a great lad unlock mine from EE and he was spot on with his explanations. Also I didnt do it last minute as if it didn't work I could go back to him.

The positives I see is that your mother has family near her - your sister and her family. She can talk with you via skype etc, letters, and you will visit for long periods at least once a year. Yes it's costly but it will be worth every penny. Your mum also knows that she can always come out to see you and / or stay with you or other relatives. It doesn't matter that your hubby got a job because you would have headed back for Oz anyway because you want the best for your children. My mum never wanted me to be away but she wanted me to be happy and I think for you despite the grieving its what your mum wants for you too.

Oh KM75, my heart skipped a beat there reading your dilemma. I wouldn't want to leave her but this is your dream and your family's. Is there any chance she can come with you? Or can you make sure you have funds to regularly go back and visit? Your mum is still young and maybe staying with you all for some months can help her with grieving. Maybe worth a try? I visit my family every year for a month or two.

Hi Solum..Yes hoping to arrange things with friends but also may be travelling ..so pm me and let me know what's happening for you. BEGal

Hi MaryRose I was in Lindfield for about 3 years. Now in Greenwich, but I think of it as St Leonards/Crows Nest..they all seem to meld together Lindfield is nice but I just wish they had more scheduled buses going there. Here in St Leonards my travel needs are met..heaps of buses and the train station close by. I'm working in North Sydney at the moment so when I feel up to it I walk..yeah right, I never walk!!! Footy team..Manchester United but only cos of genetics..I don't actually follow football.

Hi I was renting but now I'm 'lodging'. So this for me is an interesting thread. You appear to have less rights as a lodger - renting a room in a house. The deposit I provided did not go into some government deposit scheme. I also had to pay quite a bit upfront for a (furnished) room that is fortnightly renting. I'm wary of getting all my monies back when I do eventually leave. So any tips, advice would be appreciated. BEGal

Brian My brother is in exactly the same boat as well as a number of of PIOers..there are threads related to the work situation here.

Cool ! Enjoy the ride and congratulations. Before you know it, your 5 years will nearly be up and you'll be rushing to get over!! It happens.

Hi All Just any advice for my friend please! Summary : She is de-facto with her Australian partner. They are now splitting up after living together for over 3 years. He contributed in the main to pay the rent and bills. She also paid towards that and also did the daily clean, shopping etc as you would if you are a partner. She earnt substantially less than him as she was student, doing temp work as much as she could. There are no children and no property. She wants to check with a solicitor if they have a fair split regarding superannuation. So if anyone has any recommendations where she can go in the Sydney area to chat/discuss with a solicitor if she has any rights/claims then great. It is not an acrimonious split - so please no horrible comments! She just wants to get the facts. BEGal

Yes, Que Sera Sera He has traversed the industrial sites near where he was living in Perth and knocked on doors and dropped in CVs and offered to do the associated welding tests. He is now doing the same in Parramatta industrial areas corridor. So he is doing as much as he can as I stated already.

I'm a NAB girl!..Any bank with no fees is good for me and lots of atms. I am one of those loyal customers, so it would take a lot for me to move from them. Citibank seem okay too.

Its all electronic now. So you shouldn't need one. Check with your CO.

I wear glasses and contacts..I prefer my glasses honestly.. Get laser treatment. BUT research, research, research. I had 2 friends that had it done in the UK and their lives changed for the better. It was amazing all the things they could clearly see, go snorkelling and swimming etc. I think surgery procedures have improved because when I wanted it I was told that you suffer from dry eyes and I already had dry eye syndrome. Altho' my eyes have improved a lot, so still considering laser.

It is a massive risk to come to a country with no job! But you have to be in the country for some of the skills that are wanted and his are three of them on the short skills list! He tried to secure things before coming over but to no avail. What I write is not the full extent of his story. As soon as he got into Perth, he got a phone sim, his driving licence, white card, re-did his CV and started calling the vacancies advertised only to be pushed to recruitment agencies. He even went to the offices for the Gorgon project to talk to the staff there. There's nothing he hasn't done or tried. Don't get me wrong he knew it would be hard. But when you are looking for work in your skilled area, you don't imagine that there are so many barriers - hence my comment about who you know. (He doesn't know any one!). There may be adverts saying there are jobs available but those do not appear to be 'real' jobs for the skills he has. He has been applying for jobs all over NSW including Newcastle soon. He's moved four times already to be near any areas that may hold work. As I said, he's looking at other type of work now. I really feel for others in similar situations and I am also happy for those that can find a role that suits them and can also adapt to something else. Just want to say good luck to all the searchers!