2 Years Today
May 4th 2004 | 8:04 pm
#16
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 297
Great post.
Congrats on your 2 years
Congrats on your 2 years
May 4th 2004 | 8:24 pm
#17
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 380
From: I'm right here
Youv'e barely got your feet wet bondi
jib
jib
May 4th 2004 | 8:33 pm
#18
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: 2 Years Today
Originally posted by Ceri
I just don't see why people think things like Redcliffe and Manly, Brisbane are wonderful..
.
.
Everybody is different,
I just don't see why people think things like Redcliffe and Manly, Brisbane are wonderful..
.
.
Everybody is different,
May 4th 2004 | 8:56 pm
#19
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 358
From: home again, home again, jiggidy jig!
Re: 2 Years Today
hi bondi
I enjoyed reading your post!
I know what you mean about making friendships. Being in England three years with Mr JP and really the only people you form relationships is with collegues and its not the same at all. I always thought people were a bit weary coz they knew u were leaving soon.
You realise that the majority of close relationships are the ones you formed at school, uni, childhood etc... I guess those are the ones with "water under the bridge", and not all that easy to start again.
JP
I enjoyed reading your post!
I know what you mean about making friendships. Being in England three years with Mr JP and really the only people you form relationships is with collegues and its not the same at all. I always thought people were a bit weary coz they knew u were leaving soon.
You realise that the majority of close relationships are the ones you formed at school, uni, childhood etc... I guess those are the ones with "water under the bridge", and not all that easy to start again.
JP
May 4th 2004 | 8:58 pm
#20
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,017
From: Coogee, Sydney
Great post BP and congratulations on the 2 years ! Doing anything to celebrate ?
I think if I can write a similar post after 2 years in Sydney I'll be doing alright
I think if I can write a similar post after 2 years in Sydney I'll be doing alright
May 4th 2004 | 9:02 pm
#21
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 11,149
Re: 2 Years Today
Originally posted by jasper pentop
hi bondi
I enjoyed reading your post!
I know what you mean about making friendships. Being in England three years with Mr JP and really the only people you form relationships is with collegues and its not the same at all. I always thought people were a bit weary coz they knew u were leaving soon.
You realise that the majority of close relationships are the ones you formed at school, uni, childhood etc... I guess those are the ones with "water under the bridge", and not all that easy to start again.
JP
hi bondi
I enjoyed reading your post!
I know what you mean about making friendships. Being in England three years with Mr JP and really the only people you form relationships is with collegues and its not the same at all. I always thought people were a bit weary coz they knew u were leaving soon.
You realise that the majority of close relationships are the ones you formed at school, uni, childhood etc... I guess those are the ones with "water under the bridge", and not all that easy to start again.
JP
May 4th 2004 | 9:06 pm
#22
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,389
From: New Zealand
Good post BP - may you and Mrs BP continue to enjoy life in OZ
May 4th 2004 | 9:07 pm
#23
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 11,149
Originally posted by sjn2003
Great post BP and congratulations on the 2 years ! Doing anything to celebrate ?
I think if I can write a similar post after 2 years in Sydney I'll be doing alright
Great post BP and congratulations on the 2 years ! Doing anything to celebrate ?
I think if I can write a similar post after 2 years in Sydney I'll be doing alright
When do you hit Sydney?
May 4th 2004 | 9:18 pm
#24
Dutch expat/Aus citizen
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 5,789
From: South East, Perth (was Holland)
Congrats BP!!
Nice post, I hope/think we will be in a similar situation in a while...
My parents and brother are probably coming out again too.
So for me, that'd be perfect, just hope Pascal can cope without his family...
I can, if I've got my own one there with me.....
Luckily he gets along great with my parents, maybe even better than his own... fingers crossed...
Nice post, I hope/think we will be in a similar situation in a while...
My parents and brother are probably coming out again too.
So for me, that'd be perfect, just hope Pascal can cope without his family...
I can, if I've got my own one there with me.....
Luckily he gets along great with my parents, maybe even better than his own... fingers crossed...
May 4th 2004 | 9:24 pm
#25
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,389
From: New Zealand
Re: 2 Years Today
Originally posted by jasper pentop
hi bondi
I enjoyed reading your post!
I know what you mean about making friendships. Being in England three years with Mr JP and really the only people you form relationships is with collegues and its not the same at all. I always thought people were a bit weary coz they knew u were leaving soon.
You realise that the majority of close relationships are the ones you formed at school, uni, childhood etc... I guess those are the ones with "water under the bridge", and not all that easy to start again.
JP
hi bondi
I enjoyed reading your post!
I know what you mean about making friendships. Being in England three years with Mr JP and really the only people you form relationships is with collegues and its not the same at all. I always thought people were a bit weary coz they knew u were leaving soon.
You realise that the majority of close relationships are the ones you formed at school, uni, childhood etc... I guess those are the ones with "water under the bridge", and not all that easy to start again.
JP
We made friends in Singapore because we were all in the same boat-expats- but we were advised by a neighbour not to introduce ourselves with "we have a minimum 2 yr contract" because that would put people off making friends with you!
how true that was- simply because people wanted a friendship that lasted it was exhasting making new friends then have them move on after a short time.. I lost many new friends after our first 2 yrs there when there was a downturn and they were moved on to a cheaper location .
I hope both JP and BP you have made friends in uk & oz that will be lasting just as we have friends from Singapore who we'll always stay in touch with. where ever they happen to be in the world
May 4th 2004 | 9:46 pm
#26
She's a bird, you know
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 7,655
From: Yorkshire
Typical of a BP post - balanced and thoughtful as ever. It's good to hear that you are still loving it out there - I get the itchy feet thing too, on a 3 year cycle, and I'm hoping to break that with the move to Oz.
Mr B and I lived with my parents for 3 months when we first came back to the UK (like you, made financial sense as we were very, very broke). Difference is, Mr B was taken in like one of the family and didn't want to leave he was loving it so much whereas I reverted to acting like a teenager!
Sounds like Mrs BP is as lucky to have you as you feel you are to have her. Like the idea of getting married in the Botainic Gardens - one of my favourite spots in Sydney.
And happy belated 30th by the way. I turned 27 on Thursday and the big 3-0 is now staring me firmly in the face
Mr B and I lived with my parents for 3 months when we first came back to the UK (like you, made financial sense as we were very, very broke). Difference is, Mr B was taken in like one of the family and didn't want to leave he was loving it so much whereas I reverted to acting like a teenager!
Sounds like Mrs BP is as lucky to have you as you feel you are to have her. Like the idea of getting married in the Botainic Gardens - one of my favourite spots in Sydney.
And happy belated 30th by the way. I turned 27 on Thursday and the big 3-0 is now staring me firmly in the face
May 4th 2004 | 9:52 pm
#27
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,017
From: Coogee, Sydney
Originally posted by bondipom
Having a Sabbaba Falafel. Well worth it if you are in Bondi Beach. I'm sure I'll have a few at the weekend.
When do you hit Sydney?
Having a Sabbaba Falafel. Well worth it if you are in Bondi Beach. I'm sure I'll have a few at the weekend.
When do you hit Sydney?
What the hell's a Sabbaba Falafel ???
Hopefully in Sydney sometime in September - just in time for summer
Got to sell the house yet though.
May 4th 2004 | 9:55 pm
#28
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 11,149
Cheers Bundy.
MrsBP Stayed lived with me and my parents for a while as well. Your story sounds familiar. Hope you and Mr B work out where you are heading. Your recent experiences will hopefully stregthen what you have.
You were born one day before Saddam Hussein.:scared:
MrsBP Stayed lived with me and my parents for a while as well. Your story sounds familiar. Hope you and Mr B work out where you are heading. Your recent experiences will hopefully stregthen what you have.
You were born one day before Saddam Hussein.:scared:
May 4th 2004 | 9:57 pm
#29
She's a bird, you know
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 7,655
From: Yorkshire
Originally posted by bondipom
Cheers Bundy.
MrsBP Stayed lived with me and my parents for a while as well. Your story sounds familiar. Hope you and Mr B work out where you are heading. Your recent experiences will hopefully stregthen what you have.
You were born one day before Saddam Hussein.:scared:
Cheers Bundy.
MrsBP Stayed lived with me and my parents for a while as well. Your story sounds familiar. Hope you and Mr B work out where you are heading. Your recent experiences will hopefully stregthen what you have.
You were born one day before Saddam Hussein.:scared:
But many years later, I hope!!!!:scared: :scared: :scared:
May 4th 2004 | 10:03 pm
#30
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 965
Re: 2 Years Today
Originally posted by bondipom
2 years on
2 years ago this morning I flew into Australia. I could do a Badge and say I had been here 3 years 3 months taking into account working holidays and other trips but that is a bit misleading.
The first few months were at the start of winter and despite getting work quickly were a bit depressing. That’s what living with the mother in law can do. Mrs BP got work a couple of months later when we moved out to Bondi.
Unlike most here I am not after the 5 bedroom house with mammoth garden and am more than happy living in a unit in a lively great to live in suburb. It was a bit small when I had 5 friends staying around when I got married but other than that the only extra space I have wanted is a bit of decking for a BBQ.
Work made me permanent after a few months and I am still plodding away here. Something now has to give wither through a role change or promotion as I am now feeling stale. I get marginally more than what I was on in the UK but I get 20 days holiday here compared to the 25 days in the UK. I am also on a 40 hour week compared to a 35 hour week so per hour I am on less pay, The job itself has provided many new challenges which is more important.
My commute is certainly worse with a 30 to 60 minute drive compared to 20 minutes walk and train in the UK. Infinately better though compared to my short period contracting and commuting to London.
The lifestyle here is different, more relaxed and definitely more outdoors. Taking up surfing has been an amazing experience. Sitting out in the lineup waiting for a wave is a great place to clear ones mind of the days stress. The Mrs hasn’t minded the increase in fitness. I’ve found myself participating in the corporate triathlon and other bizarre bodily punishments that I would never have considered in the UK. There is plenty of brain food around but the NRL, Premiership and Olympic swimming team seem to interest more people.
My main problem with the country is the blatant corruption of politics and media at almost every level. The UK is not immune to corruption but politics here is dirty and it does affect us all in many ways. It sometimes makes me angry and I feel frustrated so many accept the status quo.
What I love here is the ability to eat out and eat good so much more often than in soggy vegetable Britain. The Ocean and blue skies do make me feel happy.
I have never felt homesick although I would like to see friends and family far more than I do now. I can tell Mum misses me a lot as she seems to find a funny reason to call me every weekend. Gran misses me as well and out of all the grandchildren and children I seem to be the one she remembers in her slow forming dementia. That tugs at the heart.
I have never lived anywhere more than 5 years at a time so I have never felt like somewhere is home. What is strange is that after 2 years I still don’t have itchy feet. That really is saying something for me. Given the right package I could happily live back in the UK but at the moment we have no intention of packing up.
The highlight of the 2 years was getting married in the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney and having a wonderful reception with a small crowd of close friends and family. I am a lucky man to have Mrs BP.
The only thing I think is missing here is having a few true friends rather than colleagues or acquaintances. They do not come quick so I am not too worried.
2 years on
2 years ago this morning I flew into Australia. I could do a Badge and say I had been here 3 years 3 months taking into account working holidays and other trips but that is a bit misleading.
The first few months were at the start of winter and despite getting work quickly were a bit depressing. That’s what living with the mother in law can do. Mrs BP got work a couple of months later when we moved out to Bondi.
Unlike most here I am not after the 5 bedroom house with mammoth garden and am more than happy living in a unit in a lively great to live in suburb. It was a bit small when I had 5 friends staying around when I got married but other than that the only extra space I have wanted is a bit of decking for a BBQ.
Work made me permanent after a few months and I am still plodding away here. Something now has to give wither through a role change or promotion as I am now feeling stale. I get marginally more than what I was on in the UK but I get 20 days holiday here compared to the 25 days in the UK. I am also on a 40 hour week compared to a 35 hour week so per hour I am on less pay, The job itself has provided many new challenges which is more important.
My commute is certainly worse with a 30 to 60 minute drive compared to 20 minutes walk and train in the UK. Infinately better though compared to my short period contracting and commuting to London.
The lifestyle here is different, more relaxed and definitely more outdoors. Taking up surfing has been an amazing experience. Sitting out in the lineup waiting for a wave is a great place to clear ones mind of the days stress. The Mrs hasn’t minded the increase in fitness. I’ve found myself participating in the corporate triathlon and other bizarre bodily punishments that I would never have considered in the UK. There is plenty of brain food around but the NRL, Premiership and Olympic swimming team seem to interest more people.
My main problem with the country is the blatant corruption of politics and media at almost every level. The UK is not immune to corruption but politics here is dirty and it does affect us all in many ways. It sometimes makes me angry and I feel frustrated so many accept the status quo.
What I love here is the ability to eat out and eat good so much more often than in soggy vegetable Britain. The Ocean and blue skies do make me feel happy.
I have never felt homesick although I would like to see friends and family far more than I do now. I can tell Mum misses me a lot as she seems to find a funny reason to call me every weekend. Gran misses me as well and out of all the grandchildren and children I seem to be the one she remembers in her slow forming dementia. That tugs at the heart.
I have never lived anywhere more than 5 years at a time so I have never felt like somewhere is home. What is strange is that after 2 years I still don’t have itchy feet. That really is saying something for me. Given the right package I could happily live back in the UK but at the moment we have no intention of packing up.
The highlight of the 2 years was getting married in the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney and having a wonderful reception with a small crowd of close friends and family. I am a lucky man to have Mrs BP.
The only thing I think is missing here is having a few true friends rather than colleagues or acquaintances. They do not come quick so I am not too worried.
Thanks for posting this - it was great to read an honest account.
You do sound much older than 30! Make the most of it because time seems to be going quite fast past the 30 mark!!
Your wedding sounded wonderful - that really is a beautiful place.
Whatever you do in the future you will have some fantastic memories to take with you.
We are much the same as you on the itchy feet front, having moved from somerset to Surrey then further to London, Bournemouth in 3 different places, back to Somerset in 3 different places and now Aus. It would be nice to make some roots but still haven't found what we are looking for - hope Aus is it!..still think we will end up in Sydney one way or another eventually but will give Perth a go first!
Anyway happy anniversary!
Max x
