Southchick

Thank you, too nervous at the moment to get excited...this waiting totally doing my head in! Will be a lot better when we have our grant. We still not sure , but we lived for a year in South Oz last year and fell in love with it so hoping to go there, but also loved Portland just over the border into Victoria. Decisions decisions!! What about you?

How exciting.... Now the waiting begins, I hope you are better at it than me! We should be hearing from CO any day now, submitted 26th February. Good luck!

Oh dear.... As valid as all your opinions are, I do hope the OP looks at the bigger picture, that the majority of comments and experiences are positive and informative. Of course everywhere has it's negative points and people... But I do believe a lot of experiences reflect your outlook on life. I hope Australia treats you well and you can make the best of it :-)

Crying when tired is completely NORMAL! It's difficult as we don't really know much more info or anything that has lead to you feeling like this... It is possibly not from actually missing these things... But the realisation of the enormity of migrating and that will come out differently for different people. If it was to carry on then perhaps it would be a worry, but please don't fret as it will inevitably change . Just go wth it, get out there and know you have this site for support and to help point you in the right direction :-)

How refreshing! What a lovely, real, positive and happy thread!! Loving it you have brightened up my night shift thank you every one, fab to hear everyone's sunny stories xxx

Gosh I never even thought of that.... My answer simply based on my experience of I guess the people I met that were Australian born, regardless of colour/ heritage.. And the Aussies themselves call themselves that and us poms so I don't think it should be taken too seriously. When I first moved there I too wondered this question but it was soon answered by how friendly and multicultural the place is and that's why I love it!

Ha I hate them too... But atleast I am not checking my emails constantly as I know there is no way! This morning I think I checked literally every ten minutes. I am right with ya and This is our week... Bring on Monday! Today I am positive and strong which is better than yesterday's anxious neurotic crazy lady hehe :-)

I am exactly a week behind Pinkestlady but haven't front loaded anything, going through an agent and awaiting CO allocation. I am getting so excited reading all your replies and feeling a lot better to know I not the only one going abit nuts... Nice to have a break at weekends as in the week I check my emails pretty much every hour.... Weirdo!!! Aahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

I agree with this, and can only speak of my experience with fondness after a year living in South Australia. So many times I have thought there must be something in the water as I don't think I have (personal opinion of course) met a happier bunch in my years of travelling. Of course everyone's experiences will be unique and i would say that what you experience will have a lot to do with your perceptions , values and general outlook on life. Aussie's are different , but I have never felt more welcome. They say it like it is and can seem pretty tough at times, but the majority are so laid back and from those I have met really seem to enjoy life and being easy going . Again in my experience only, my young son and I have been welcomed into the community and people seemed to appreciate a positive outlook . Culturally there are differences but of course that will be the case, it's how you integrate ourself in those differences. It's comforting to meet so many English but I found my favourite friends in the Aussies :-) I love how on the country roads most people give you a wave and when you walk on the beach nearly everyone says hello and wants to chat.. Certainly don't get that where I live in the UK sadly anymore.

Awwww MrsA I'm sorry to hear you are sad... Whereabouts are you and is someone with you? It is horrible to feel like that I know but it really won't last. You have done something huge and travelled across the world, one of the most stressful things you will ever do so what you are feeling is completely normal, try and go with it and hopefully each day will e brighter. For now think of this initial bit as a holiday and do somethings for yourself. It will get better.... You are most likely exhausted too... Jetlag can take this long to get over, and in a new place all the emotion can sometimes take over. Have you been out to explore where you are? That might help to see some friendly faces and investigate what's going on around you, and let us know how you get on :-)

Oh my goodness This is exciting now... Just signed up so I can join in although been reading on here for weeks! We applied on the 26th feb... And I cannot sit still!! Ahhhhhhhh @Pinkestlady I am waiting to hear you have a CO... Saying that you have done medicals so will it be direct grant... Have you done PCC too? We are waiting for CO to request.... I don't know how much longer I can take this waiting!