Sol2Oz

More mis-information. The founding fathers didn't create a 2nd amendment based on weapon type - it was created to support the right of self-defense, resistance to oppression and as a civic duty to defend the States themselves from foreign invasion by oppressive countries. It is a basic human right.

Well, I am a firm believer in the 2nd Amendment - and we are not criminals or rednecks! I have a very clean record - not even a parking ticket have I ever gotten - never been arrested for anything. I do believe that there is a social problem, (unrelated to weapons), where people fail to take personal responsibility for their own actions. We live in a world where people are used to blaming inanimate objects (i.e. guns), other people and circumstances for their own failures and bad decisions. Point in case, there is something wrong with you on personal scale, if you go around shooting other people who haven't done anything to you - you have to agree that the problem is not with the gun itself, but with the mind of the person who engaged in this type of crime. So ask yourselves, why did this person go ahead and engage in this type of criminal behavior? As far as I know, the killers who were involved in these shooting tragedies were all on anti depressants and came from irresponsible families - sorry, but that's the truth. And let me add that you don't need AR15's (which is just a fancy rifle), to commit mass murder. Timothy McVeigh - another loony, the 9/11 tragedies, and the London bombings (7/7) are a few examples were mass murder was committed without the use of guns. So what should people do in those cases? Ban buildings, buses and trolleys?? It's amazing the line that some of our liberal politicians use, "Oh we care so much about the kids" - complete and utter BS. If the kids were an issue, they wouldn't be using drones to basically assassinate innocent citizens overseas. And another thing - the governor of New York, Cuomo, who introduced the SAFE act because "we care so much about the kids" acted hypocritical just a few months later, when he signed a piece of legislature, "Women's Reproductive Health Act", that allows pregnant mothers to abort their unborn children after even 24 weeks of pregnancy. Tell me how is that "caring about the kids" when a child can survive outside of the womb at 24 weeks? Clearly, there are ulterior motives for desires to eliminate parts of the constitution.

I agree and I think it's sad. I remember a movie by the name of "This is England" - where some racists were trying to promote national pride. At the end of the movie, the main character, a little boy, throws the flag of England in the river. I thought that was so wrong! A few jerks shouldn't take away from feeling pride in your culture! But sadly, pride in your culture and nation - for some reason, is seen as a racist thing, but it really isn't. In the near future, it will be wrong to be proud of being even a man, or a woman.

I've always wondered what's wrong with waving a flag. I have spoken to a lot of Europeans and British who don't think that's proper. But why? Call it a cultural difference, but I cannot for the life of me understand why anyone wouldn't be proud of the country their from. If an Aussie wants to wave a flag, say, "piss off, we're full", or whatever else, I say, let them - good for them. I see it like a man loving his masculine qualities or a woman wanting to be as feminine as possible. I don't see anything wrong with being who you are - as long as you don't hurt me, I don't mind.

That is such a nice thing for you to say. But, in normal economics, you want your wages to be kept in par with the low cost of living. Inflation or hyperinflation comes out of this. (Now, I'm not saying that the US won't go through its hyperinflation for its bad economics, but for now, while things are cheap, people should take advantage). As for your comment, if someone is making $100 minimum wage but has to pay $100,000 in a monthly rent, where is the grace in that? If anything, it shows that the country's currency is going the way of the Wiemar Republic, Argentina's and Zimbabwe's! What happens if you lose your job? The dole will not be able to pay your $500 a week rent, so what should one do in that case?

There's nothing wrong with flag waving - people should always feel proud of who they are.

lol, I made the opposite mistake. (I am american), and when I went to the Gold Coast to validate my visa, I sat down at some restaurant and ordered the regular foods that I order at home (including my favorite all time beer). Well, when the invoice came, I nearly fell out of my chair - I thought there must be some mistake, could I be paying for someone else's tab?? I just could not believe the price - especially for the beer. I only pay $1.50 for the stupid bottle here at home, but in Oz the damn thing was more than 5 times the cost. Oh man, I almost crapped my pants. Anyway, about the gun culture, it's not so bad once you're educated in handling them - most people use them as a tool. The problem is with too many people on mind altering medications - usually anti-depressants. As for a 4 week vacation - nope never heard of that - the only people who get four weeks of vacation are those who work in schools including universities or private business owners.

Hey Chellegirl - just read about your situation and I am so sorry that you have to go through this. This may not help, but it is a general observation from my own experience - maybe people will agree, maybe not. But, I think that some of us have the tendency to give our partners 100% undivided attention and we kind of isolate ourselves from our friends in doing so. I really don't think that your isolation has anything to do with your character, just that you gave your all to your ex. When I was married, when weekends came around, I didn't want to go out with anyone except my husband. Well, fast forward 10 years later, and when he suddenly pursued a love affair at work and left me as quickly as I found out about it, (the whole leaving process thing took a month - leaving me wretched in pain and confused) I felt very lonely and I became aware by how alone I felt. It was a truly horrendous time for me. Anyway, what strikes me about your story is that I found myself in a similar situation: no support of any kind - except for my family who are scattered across the country and who weren't really available due to their own lives. This is part of the reason why I applied for PR, so that I can start another new life. Well, just wanted to give you something interesting to read about me :biggrin: But, I am resolved never again to give 100% to any human - I will be more balanced and try to obtain a support system with a variety of people - with or without a relationship!

Long story short, I was raised where debate is a healthy part of conversation, however, people seem to take offense when you disagree with them- especially online. Point in case, someone posted a view and opinion on facebook regarding some recent news. Well, I disagreed with them about the view, which by the way, has nothing to do with them as a person - just on the news topic in itself. Well the person took offense and basically sent me a private message telling me that why am I not standing with her on her views and that she has always stood by me. Then she started bringing up topics where she disagrees with me (first time I heard of it). She also added that facebook is public and that I shouldn't disagree with her on it. I couldn't believe her message as I wasn't disagreeing with anything on a personal level just on her opinion as to why something happened in the news. Has this sort of thing ever happened to you and how did you respond?

Well, if you are unable to go back, think about the positives. Like the fact that your husband gets to come home earlier than he did while in Ireland, it means he gets to spend more time with you. But also, the situation in the EU doesn't look well at all. What's happening in Greece and Spain will eventually spread to many of the EU countries. I don't think you'd want to be there during that time.

The problem with coming back is that you leave behind a good job and may not get it back when you return. You lose out on your seniority, etc, and may not only have to compete with the unemployed, but may also have to take a lower paying job. Needless to say, I think making the move would be a great adventure, and it beats being old and asking what if and what could haves, etc. Money can always be made, so as long as you don't care about losing money in the process, I say go for it. I have the same risk questions, but I'm still going to go ahead with it

Right - for the people who keep saying the UK is finished, would you mind at least expressing why and give tangible evidence where we can all see it for ourselves instead of just typing gibberish on a forum? I'd like to know myself how Oz is better (economically - if that's what you mean) than the UK or any other country that is supposedly going to the dogs for that matter

I'm sorry, but to me that sounds horrendous. If I were married and my husband told me something like this, I'd wonder if he really loved me (or even the children!). I cannot see how a job or even a place of being would be better than family.

Thanks for understanding what I mean. I have lived in big cities all of my life, hence the reason I think I'm done with them. I think.. you know how it is, people always come back to what's familiar anyhow. Well, I guess that makes my view a biased one. lol

who's nice? :dull:

I have never visited Melbourne, I'll be honest. But, I did take a "google maps" view of it and spent many hours on google scoping out the streets, buildings, etc. Well, I found it to look like today's gentrified South Bronx, no offense to anyone. It looked tired, old and it was full of graffiti. I was very surprised by the way it looked in fact, considering that it was voted a top place to live. Why was it voted a top place to live, I wonder. The only thing that looks great about Melbourne is the job opportunities. So I'm wondering why Melbourne appears to look like the gentrified South Bronx when Melbourne was never a slum. Well, the only conclusion that I can come up with is that it is headed towards that direction. I don't know why or what is causing that tired and old look, but I would think twice before I moved there.

Bummer ....

I'm curious as to your thinking pattern. Point in case, I'm an American and if I walked around with a T-shirt depicting George W. Bush's face on it that read, "He's my president", would you discard me as a foreigner who doesn't fit in as well? (For the record, I wouldn't walk around with such a thing, but just to point out an example). I feel that opinions are like a-holes - we all have them: Some people don't mind foreigners but they may mind in which way a person conducts themselves, lifestyles, gender preferences, whether they drink, smoke, what religion they're in, etc. So I ask what exactly would make the "foreigner" and their views any different and less acceptable than those of someone else's with what would be considered to be an undesirable opinion to you? (Notice how I put the word "foreigner" in quotes, as anyone who migrates is essentially a foreigner - including you, Paul.) Personally, I feel that if the person doesn't hurt me or my family, ruin my own way of living and lifestyle, I really couldn't care less. Also, I am of the opinion that in some cases, if people don't "fit in" it is because they are just not included in -plain and simple.

I think you should go for it! I just came back from that area, and it is great for living and making friends. Everyone faces homesickness - it is unavoidable, to be honest. But, on a positive note, you're only 25, and you have plenty of time to return home if you wish. Trust me when I tell you, if you don't take this package, you will always wonder how it would have been if you had. All the best ~

So the local experience shouldn't really apply to migrants from the UK, NZ, Canada, and the USA? What do you think?

Wow, Chris - this is really great considering the fact that Perth is one of the most expensive cities in all of Oz! I hope things work out for your family! Thanks for letting us know about your success - it is very encouraging!

What reasons do you personally have to want to move to SA? SA sponsorship is extremely easy - as long as you're not going to stalk any South Australians, or because "it's the only State that may take me" I don't see why they shouldn't accept you. The only thing they care about is how much money you have in the bank to bring over, and your ability to get a job.

It's really hard and heartbreaking to say the least and quite honestly, there are no ways to mitigate the feelings. But, you can always set up a skype account not only for her but for yourselves so that you can talk to each other more often. Maybe even facebook. Sometimes, when people move far away they communicate even moreso than when they are nearby. Will you be able to try to visit at least yearly?

keep plugging away! I remember struggling with the reading - could only get 7's but required all 8's. I would get 9's on everything else. Finally after 3 attempts, and a good year of waiting for scores and money to take the exam, I got 8.5 on the reading. Now I'm happy to say, that past is behind me and today I've accomplished permanent residency. So never quit- if you speak English, and especially if you are a native speaker, then you definitely have the capacity to get the 8's on all modules. Here is the thread that shows our struggles: http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/migration-issues/128815-ielts-22-october.html I wish you all here the best with your IELTS!

Honestly, I don't see how a tattoo may jeopardize employment, unless you get a tattoo of a barcode on your forehead that is actually scannable, or something strange like that. I think it also depends on the type of work you do - if you are going into beauty and fashion, a tattoo may actually be a good idea, but not so much if you're heavily tattooed and want to be an airline stewardess. I guess you'd know better than anyone what you want to do and how it fits around the idea of a tattoo.