I've just realised I've been here 18 months! Scary thought. Actually it was 18 months on May 2nd, but someone sent me some horrible "karma" that day and put me off posting. Still, I've bounced back, opened another wine bottle and thought I'd treat you to a few observations.
I'm not going to go back over the whole 18 months as most of it is already on the site somewhere else. What I will say is this - till last month, since I got here we have been living in The Bloke's unit - never felt like 'mine', or 'ours', and I think thats a reason I have found it so hard to settle. It was dark, dusty, and didn't feel like home. People on the site have often said - not just to me - 'if you aren't happy, change things'. Well, we have changed things, and we always intended to, but it takes time and money, thats why it took so long. I spent a long time thinking that maybe I wasn't destined to be here - and even felt that the country hated me.

So now I feel like I am starting my new life all over again. We are renting a beautiful house in Brisbane's north, lovely views, nice veranda and garden, so much space, and lovely breezes as its on a hill facing the bay, so gets away from the heat of the city. My health is improving (please god may that continue), and I really feel like we have been given a second chance. All my stuff from the UK is finally unpacked, and it feels like a "home" not just a house. I am interested in life again, and am remembering all the reasons why I loved Australia when I first came here.

I suppose what I want to get across is this - even if it takes time, it can get better, things can improve. It takes time to settle, it takes time to feel "at home". Even though I still miss family and friends, and emails tonight from my nieces can still raise a tear, I do now feel that perhaps I do belong here, and maybe Australia doesn't hate me after all.
The Bloke has put up with a lot, but he also thinks that we have really fallen on our feet with our new home, and things might be looking up at last
Even the teddy bears approve!!

Good to hear your honesty, we still don't have our visa but it is bloody terrifying to think it may come any day, so scary moving so far and you did it!
which town do you live in, are you working?
Tara

Hiya Polly,
Glad things are finally coming together for you. Have sent you some nice 'K' to get rid of the bad.
Love and hugs
Sarah

Hi Polly, glad to hear that it's starting to feel like home. All those muppets who told you if you didn't like it why didn't you just go back to the Uk really didn't appreciate that it takes time to start a new life on the other side of the world. Hope the next 18 months get even better. Best wishes to you and The Bloke

Hi Tara,
I'm in Brisbane, been working since my 4th week here and am now on my 5th job (moved by choice from the last 4) and am working for the government. That also makes a big difference - having an interesting job with good friendly people really helps. And then of course there's the Brissie Girls Drinking Club, which has helped lots of us make new mates!

Glad to hear everything has settled, know what you mean about the job situation - you spend so long at work, it has to be right...

Continue to enjoy

Cas

Hi Polly,

Really glad things are coming good for you.

Ignore the sad people who have nothing better to do in life than purposely be nasty on an online forum they are not worth it. Anyone who doesn't understand where you are coming from is either really really lucky or doesn't have an emotional bone in there body.

Hope the next 18 months keep getting better and better.

Take care and you, the Bloke and the tedies have loads of fun in your new home.
Kala

Hi Pollyanna
What a lovely post. So glad things are starting to look up for you and the bloke. It shows that if you stick to it things can get better.
Sorry somebody sent you bad karma. Have tried sending you some good karma but for some reason my computer wont let me. Will send it as soon as I can.
Hope things continue to get better.
Tracey.
ps. Hope to be meeting you at one of the Brissie girls nights out if I ever get there

Hi there

Really pleased its all coming together and you feel settled now, by way, your teddy's look a bit tired after the move or have they been at your booze!!

Teresa

Hi pollyanna, thanks for the post, glad that you have made it through your bad times and out into the sun (literally). so happy for you as your quote at the end of your messages always made me feel a bit sad. Maybe as a few more months go by we may be treated to a new one Karma for a new new life.

Nicky

Hi Polly
you know you're right about moving into the blokes place. I felt the same when we first married and lived in hubbys flat in London . It wasn't my choice of decor-yuk- or location, things improved when we bought our first house together and decorated it together.
Glad you've found a new job you enjoy. (so the hunky firefighters couldn't keep you? )
Lets hope this really is a turning point to your settling down ,may you have many happy years to enjoy in oz.

Helen

Aw, Polly you made me smile, so glad you love the new house and that you are now putting your 'stamp' on the place. It makes all the difference.

I remember when you first moved to Brisbane and it seems so long ago now. Here's to the future Pollyanna

Mandy

Nice post Pollyanna, the very best to you and the bloke with a heap of karma if me allowance is back.

Merlot

Hi Polly

Heres to many more years
Cheers Ransi

I'll second that!, we are still not sure whether to go to Brisbane for work or the Sunshine Coast because it is so fabulous.
Tara