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End of the Year - A time to reflect
2003 was a very busy year for me. In January Chris and I got married in Las Vegas. Whilst there I learned a relative had been diagnosed with cancer and she died 6 months later. The Visa arrived after the application took almost 3 years from start to finish.
We sold our house, we bought another house, we renovated the house in 5 weeks left my job and somehow we managed to pack a bag and get to the airport before the flight left for Australia. We have now been in Perth almost 5 months. We will be celebrating our first wedding anniversary in a couple of weeks (lots of good ideas on Bondi's thread for paper pressies;) ). It has been a year like no other in my life. I have been living out of a suitcase for about 7 months, I have no furniture or any of my personal belongings bar a few clothes. I have no permanent home, no job, no family or friends around me. I feel as though I have unpicked the fabric of my entire life. My relationship with Chris has been tested during the stressful time we have had in our attempts to establish a life here. But it is a very strong relationship and I am deliriously happy. We had a 'dream' when we were in the Uk about the life we would carve out for ourselves in Oz. But now we feel unwilling to make so many sacrifices to reach what we believe at this moment in time, is unobtainable for us here. But this journey has given us the time to step off the merry go round of life and has given us real choice in what we want to do in our lives. There have been times when we have not known which way to turn. I don't think we would have sacrificed so much if we had not planned to live in Oz, but then we would have still been tied to the life we had, in some ways I think it has been successful for us to make such a big change coming here, as we may not have been willing to make such a big change in life if we had stayed in the UK. I can see all the delights that people rave about that make Perth such a fabulous City but I can also see the drawbacks, and for us I guess the drawbacks outweigh the scenery. We still have an adventure to experience in this wonderfully unique country and who knows what will happen during that time or over the coming year. At this moment in time I have no idea where I will be sitting next new years eve. But I do know I am a very lucky woman and I am very grateful for the life that I have. I wish you all a fabulous 2004. |
That was lovely.
I do wish that you could feel settled though. I think that to come here, we all have to make sacrifices, and once here, accept things one at a time. Although I am very happy in Mandurah and the way things have gone so far, there are so many things that I need to work towards to make it feel like my home, and I know that it will take time. Whisky |
In Aus extensive "time out" from work is institutionalized as 3 months of long service leave after each 10 years of work. A time to reflect if you are introverted or to go wild if you are extraverted. Not having "time out" is repressive. Unemployment is not "time out" except for those without serious money worries.
Hope you will find at least some casual work on your travels. Be cheeky and take what comes? Too much reflection can result in unhealthy inaction (mia culpa :rolleyes: ). |
Re: End of the Year - A time to reflect
Originally posted by Jirrupin 2003 was a very busy year for me. In January Chris and I got married in Las Vegas. Whilst there I learned a relative had been diagnosed with cancer and she died 6 months later. The Visa arrived after the application took almost 3 years from start to finish. We sold our house, we bought another house, we renovated the house in 5 weeks left my job and somehow we managed to pack a bag and get to the airport before the flight left for Australia. We have now been in Perth almost 5 months. We will be celebrating our first wedding anniversary in a couple of weeks (lots of good ideas on Bondi's thread for paper pressies;) ). It has been a year like no other in my life. I have been living out of a suitcase for about 7 months, I have no furniture or any of my personal belongings bar a few clothes. I have no permanent home, no job, no family or friends around me. I feel as though I have unpicked the fabric of my entire life. My relationship with Chris has been tested during the stressful time we have had in our attempts to establish a life here. But it is a very strong relationship and I am deliriously happy. We had a 'dream' when we were in the Uk about the life we would carve out for ourselves in Oz. But now we feel unwilling to make so many sacrifices to reach what we believe at this moment in time, is unobtainable for us here. But this journey has given us the time to step off the merry go round of life and has given us real choice in what we want to do in our lives. There have been times when we have not known which way to turn. I don't think we would have sacrificed so much if we had not planned to live in Oz, but then we would have still been tied to the life we had, in some ways I think it has been successful for us to make such a big change coming here, as we may not have been willing to make such a big change in life if we had stayed in the UK. I can see all the delights that people rave about that make Perth such a fabulous City but I can also see the drawbacks, and for us I guess the drawbacks outweigh the scenery. We still have an adventure to experience in this wonderfully unique country and who knows what will happen during that time or over the coming year. At this moment in time I have no idea where I will be sitting next new years eve. But I do know I am a very lucky woman and I am very grateful for the life that I have. I wish you all a fabulous 2004. Larissa Wishing everyone else a great 2004! |
Thank you Whisky and Aunty Meg:D
Hopefully action is what we are doing, than just sitting back on our laurels. We are living on a tight budget but okay financially to pursue an adventure. Some casual work would be good as it would really help with making friends and extending our time here. You know I will endeavour to keep you all informed of our progress as and when we have time at a computer. |
Originally posted by Jirrupin You know I will endeavour to keep you all informed of our progress as and when we have time at a computer. The best of luck and happiness to you both for 2004 and all years after! Don't know what else to say... except it's great to see how positive you guys still are (or so it seems!!) and great that you have have the oppertunity and are willing to try a different tactic. :) Hey, any chance of a pic of the new interior of the van? I'm very curious!! :D |
Originally posted by Simone82 Hey, any chance of a pic of the new interior of the van? I'm very curious!! :D I'll post a pic as soon as we have the unveiling ceremony:cool: |
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