Tulip Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 Wow, can't believe it's been 7 months already! Thought I'd check in as I barely go on the forum any more, and whilst I'm here, write a little update. We've settled beautifully, but not without a few hiccups; mostly, Christmas. I missed my family something rotten and was pretty upset over the holidays, thankfully all over now and after a few Skype calls, we're all sorted! It's incredible how much a new life can affect your capacity to deal with so much emotion, I found myself turning inwards and eventually burst into tears at Westfield in the car park, with my bemused husband having no idea what was the matter! So my main bit of advice about when you're feeling homesick is TALK about it! It's ok to miss your mum even when you're all grown up and married in a new country! Once I accepted that and stopped trying to brush over it, things were a lot easier. Christmas was also the first time, ever, that we were able to manage financially. I have never been able to spoil people as much as I'd like, but this year we were able to do it comfortably and without any stress or worries. I realise it's not the most important thing about the season, but for us it was a big deal, not only being able to give gifts to family members who have been so generous to us, but to give each other gifts too (we haven't been able to afford to give one another birthday presents these past couple of years!). In the UK all of our spare pennies went to food, transport, and rent. After that it was purely for saving to come here! Now we're paying for food, rent, transport, and saving, but with the luxury of extras too. First time either of us has ever had a smartphone that wasn't a hand-me-down! We are managing to save for the UK too as we're visiting in September. I suppose that leads me on to work! In the UK we were scraping by on two incomes, now we are comfortable with just one. Mark is now at Uni so it's me bringing in the dough, which is great as I have landed my dream job. Grooming three days a week and doggy daycare part time too. I loved to groom in the UK but it wasn't possible with such an economy, no one was doing well enough to hire someone and I couldn't afford to set up alone. Now I'm part of a team and love my work, and love being paid better for it. Don't get me wrong, there are still weeks where every dollar is accounted for, and we are still quite thrifty with our pennies, but we can now afford a car for example. Work here is very different to the UK though; for example, if you're working in an industry like mine and you have to deal with clients every day, you had better learn the Aussie way fast. It's considered rude not to greet with a 'Hello, how are you today?' and wish everyone who you serve (or who serves you!) with 'Have a great day'. Even people at the supermarket are exceptionally polite. You do obviously get the exceptions, but for the most part, if you're working in Aus you have to be well-mannered and open, or you will not be accepted for a Pommie who is living the Aussie lifestyle, I've found. The Aussies are quite hard to describe! For the most part, very humourous and laid-back folk. 'Too easy!' and 'No worries, mate' are common phrases attached to everything, from coffee orders to complaints! They also aren't as bogan as people lead you to believe, most I've met are quite articulate and deceptive, with wry humour and a smile instead of a sneer. However, I come from Norwich, where most are very friendly, so I'm happy the Aussies are my kind of people. Suddenly, my Aussie husband's laid-back approach to everything is no longer a mystery to me! I've made some friends from work and around the dog show scene, too. Speaking of dogs, we have a new addition to the family. Fed up of people insinuating that I should be popping sprogs (at the ripe age of 22!), I am happy with my four-legged children! Here's Rowney, our newest Schnauzer, he's five years old and came from Japan. He wasn't getting along with his previous owner's other stud dog, so now he lives with me and we show together regularly. Of course, we still have Maisy, my little globetrotter who came over from the UK with us. She loves it here and she and Rowney come to work with me frequently. Overall, we have settled in nicely. We're saving up for a house and living with the In Laws until then, which is ok considering we have our own living space downstairs and can retreat when we feel like it. I'm still so new to the Aussie lifestyle, but I still get a flutter in my heart when I hear the kookaburras or when I think of long roadtrips through the lush forestry that surrounds us. So far, so good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest30085 Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 Hey Tulip Nice to see you're doing well, good for you x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wolvesaussie Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 Sounds great my girlfriend got here about seven months ago as well and is also settled well . So much so she now stopped answering her parents skype calls that are going off constantly through the week I dream of the skype ring tone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jen140977 Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 You have the dream I want!!! so glad for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calNgary Posted March 6, 2014 Share Posted March 6, 2014 Great post, thanks for sharing and good to hear your settling well. Cal x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest40285 Posted March 6, 2014 Share Posted March 6, 2014 Good on ya, such a positive post, happy days Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pingpongpom2 Posted March 6, 2014 Share Posted March 6, 2014 Hey Tulip:smile:...a brill post! It's so good that you are settling in Aus and enjoying the way of life here. It's a really good age to do a big move like you have! I grew up in Aus and always wanted to return..always been in my heart, and always will. We have two children here and two in the UK with their own children, so I understand missing the people you love. My daughter came over to get married in Perth in November last year & her twin brother came too. Ever since then I have missed them so much and their children. It's such a hard one, as the history of Aus in our family has always split families. I hope your life here continues to go well and wish you all the best! :wink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maruska Posted March 6, 2014 Share Posted March 6, 2014 I`m very happy for you. :wubclub: Looks like you`ve settled really well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jac2011 Posted March 6, 2014 Share Posted March 6, 2014 Lovely post Tulip, sounds like you have embraced the lifestyle and are making the most of it! x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Keeneyboy Posted March 6, 2014 Share Posted March 6, 2014 Lovely to see you back on here Tulip, I remember you from last year and wondered how you were doing. Great update and pleased to hear all is going so well, I'll be sure to look you up for the dog grooming in the future! Mrs K x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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