We ain't dead yet

Posted on Tuesday 2 October 2007 at 08:56 - Post Comment

Immigration medicals were finished off today with a meeting with the doctor at Church Corner Health Centre, Riccarton.  Apparently neither T nor I have Syphilis, HIV, Hepatitis A or B, Tuberculosis,and we have 'normal' liver, kidneys, hearing, heart rate and cholesterol.  Well, thank the lord for that, as that STD issue always hovered in my mind  

So, all in all, it looks like we may well be around on this planet for a fair while yet and the good news is that on the back of that immigration have one less reason to say 'NO'!

On the down side, we have just found out that the 'Work to Reside' visa now requires applicants to have a minimum salary of $50k.  I am currently under this amount.  Arses.  Looks like plenty of sucking up to the boss will be required to convince them of my urgent need for a raise - still, good news for us if they give it to me!!!!  There's that silver lining again. (that one's for you Littletoe )

So, this evening I am going through the paperwork, and within 2 weeks or so I will have the documentation done and dusted and ready to be submitted.  How real is all this?!!!

Mortgage gets signed off tomorrow, and the moving date is now DEFINATLY the 15th.  Bloody brilliant news too, so I need to book some leave from work to get the move sorted.  Again, great news comes with that as friends from work, and from elsewhere, have all offered their services, cars and trailers to help us move that afternoon/ evening.  How cool is that?

T is still without work next year, but that is really a long way away for us to worry about right now.

I do feel that I just seem to bitch about stuff on here, but it really does help to put things in perspective.  This time last week we were in a pit of dispair, but now with a decent dollop of hindsight, it could not have all happened at a better time, what with T off work and all.  If we were both working, then right now we would have been shafted!  The house move will certainly be a positive for us, and I can't wait to get 'my' own garage, and for T to get 'her' own studio for all her painting.

Today I thought: 'What would I be doing now if I was back in the UK?'  This was at a time when I was stressed out at work, and just thinking about things.  And you know what?  I really DID think about it, and realised that I would be doing similar, stressy things but without so much to do to get me OVER that stress.  This evening when T and I got home, I changed and we went for  run.  Got back, and it wasn't even 6.30.  In the UK, I wouldn't even have been home by 6.30!  Then it all just came to me - we're here because we want to be here, and we want to be here for the positive changes that it has made to our lives.  We spend more time together, we have both lost over a stone in weight, we do loads more outdoors stuff as the weather is just better than Southend so you want to go out, and there are activities here that make us WANT to get out and do them.

Overall, the bills, the car, and the other issues that we have come across - they are mere potholes in the immigration motorway.  We're just going to stay in the fast-lane, foot to the floor, ride out the bumps, the traffic jams and the accidents, take the detours and the diversions, but we'll eventually arrive at our destination.  Tired, achey and travel stained, but at a brand new destiantion - and all ready to go.  Bring it on

YAY!

Posted by Littletoe on Tuesday 2 October 2007 at 09:51 - Link

I know what you mean about using the blog to sound off about issues and I also know that comparing the current life to the UK makes a huge difference. They've not even had a summer this year - how depressing! Immigration certainly isn't for the weak of heart, only the tough and determined make it. You move the same day as us!! So the evening of October 15, we'll raise a beer to you! - Then compare notes on the stress/what broke/who acquired which injuries!!