Struggling a bit
 

and could do with some pictures or positive stories. I've finished my second, professional, graduate level, course and all the portfolio work, just the exam to go. Final vocational, college level course starts today and I'm the oldest on it by over 20yrs. Please wish me luck for the exam and surviving and passing this last course as they are what will give me a career in NZ.
Those of you that are happy there please tell or show me one thing that you love about NZ to keep me going on the 'total retrain in late middle age' merry go round.

Re: Struggling a bit
 

Hi Hazelnut. I'm in the UK so can't give a New Zealand-based pep talk, but just a note of encouragement and to say good luck, although I'm sure you won't need it. Have to say that for sheer determination at studying to get where you want to go, you should pass! There's no way at my own tender late middle age years I could contemplate studying again - I was pants when I was at school, so trying to focus through my foggy brain would be nigh on impossible.
Good luck.

Re: Struggling a bit
 

I've written many nice things about New Zealand:

Re: Struggling a bit
 

How about doing a collage with pics of where you hope to be. E.g. If your dream was to live on a farm, put up a pic of a farm. Or pics of...

someone doing the job you want to do
first class seat on a plane (hey aim high!)
the view from your dream home window
the book you want to write
the car you want to drive

Keep it to hand and look at it every day to focus on your dreams and positive things in life.

Re: Struggling a bit
 

Put this on your desktop, it gladdens my heart, a nice view of the seaward Kaikouras, through the lovely Norfolk Pines, from the Esplanade, Kaikoura :)

Re: Struggling a bit
 

Feel free to check out my blog in the signature. Not professional looking photos in any way shape or form, just ones I've taken on our trips around NZ.

One thing that helped me look forward to the adventure was looking up all of the activities I wanted to do in NZ before we left. I knew we were moving to Christchurch so I made a spreadsheet of day trips, overnight trips, weekends away and trips further afield. It really made me look forward to moving and excited for all the cool stuff we were moving to. Yeah, I know, I had way too much time on my hands since I was only working part time then!

Here's one of my fave pics - hiking up Ben Lomond in Queenstown. Stunning weather and scenery. Great memories :)

Re: Struggling a bit
 

You are all lovely. The course this afternoon left me demoralised and in tears once I reached home. Thanks to your great posts I'm bouncing back now and have sent out some emails and texts to source a solution and a way forward :thumbsup:

I love the scrapbook idea, I've been capturing some images of houses and land I like but hadn't done the job and other things. I loved the other thread about things to do on a reccie as there's heaps we didn't do.

Re: Struggling a bit
 

Central Hawkes Bay on a cold mid-winters day:D

Re: Struggling a bit
 

Seriously? That looks like a summer day!

I've organised some extra tutorials so I can jump the hoops I need to for the last qualification so I'm back on track for final test date for that in February. :thumbsup:

Re: Struggling a bit
 

How are you going Hazelnut? Hope that you are feeling a lot brighter this week.

Re: Struggling a bit
 

Couldn't be happier up here in the Bay of Islands, especially when I spend all summer at the near deserted Matauri Bay x

Re: Struggling a bit
 

Thank you for asking, it's appreciated. This final course is seriously challenging and I'm finding it very heavy going trying to do that whilst revising for a big exam. If I can pass this exam I have a career so it's a big deal but other course tutor has no empathy. The course is not well designed and pretty chaotic.

To add a smidge of excitement as things were becoming a little boring ;) Dad fell and broke his hip last week so had emergency surgery at the weekend. It's hard not being able to go and see him and supporting Mum from a distance when she's having to deal with hospital visiting being an hours taxi ride away; her Parkinsons and other health challenges are also worsening. They are both so strong and just deal with whatever life throws at them, a powerful example for me when I'm struggling.

I've been looking at pictures from our reccie tour this week and daydreaming over house adverts which is helping. Where I live there's a saying of, "what's for you won't go by you" which fits very well with the NZ, "She'll be right".

Re: Struggling a bit
 

Here in northern Ireland i have often been told, if its meant for you, then it will not pass you by. Another i was often forced to hear, when god closes the door he will open a window, you just need to find it. In my younger years these quotes drove me crazy, now as a little bit wiser person, so very true words. Well done you for educating yourself further, i wish you the best.

Re: Struggling a bit
 

Aw bless. I'm not a christian but they do come out with some great observations.

Re: Struggling a bit
 

Sorry to hear about your parents situation hazelnut. It's the curse of having folks who are getting on a bit. Mine are both 79 and Dad has given us such frights this year as he has had 2 X mini strokes and a pacemaker fitted whilst on holiday way up in Scotland. I spent hours in the phone trying to sort mum out with accomodation and the subsequent bloody insurance claim so I do sympathise.

Stay strong with the studies; it'll be worth it.

Re: Struggling a bit
 

Well, I stuck this picture of where the job offers are up on the wall, took the bull by the horns and told myself if I wanted to make the most of this potential chance to emigrate I blooming well better stop being such a wuss, pull on my big girl knickers and deal with things.

I'm pleased to report it worked. Course went much better and I strangled a couple of long term fear demons in the process. :egyptian: Thanks for the support.

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2935/...a8fd8be9_n.jpgOn the way back down by BeechTree, on Flickr

Re: Struggling a bit
 

You must have been stood next to the Rainbow Warrior Monument for that shot?

Re: Struggling a bit
 

A few photos to remind you of whats waiting for you

Re: Struggling a bit
 

more

Re: Struggling a bit
 

and finally

Re: Struggling a bit
 

You're wonderful. Thank you. Those pictures exemplify why we want to move. We're both excited about Christmas being warm rather than all about mud, slush and too cold to do anything during the enforced lay off.

I don't remember but MrH says there was a memorial near the spot. I suspect he was looking around and saw it while waiting for me to finish being all arty with the camera.

Our central heating failed and flooded the dining room this weekend so we're practicing for NZ with just two wood burning stoves to heat the whole house in zero to minus three temps and strong winds. :rolleyes:

Re: Struggling a bit
 

Lovely day for a stroll on the beach yesterday. Love how blue the sky is and the turquoise of the ocean :wub:

Keep going Hazelnut, you can do this!!!

Re: Struggling a bit
 

Attachment 123210

Attachment 123211

Attachment 123212

Never a doubt ! ;)

Re: Struggling a bit
 

Very tired and internet a bit ropey due to weather but dropping in to say I sat and PASSED my big exams. I am SO EXCITED!!!!

Thanks for the moral support when I needed it. Going to lick this last course into shape now, assessment for that is in February.

Edited to add we fixed the central heating, sorted out the resulting hole in the wall and put the skirting board back and, best of all, my Dad is out of the medical hospital and in a rehab hospital near my mother. I saw him ten days ago and he knew me but wasn't sure what was happening or where he was but he's perked up a bit now he's on rehab. :)

Re: Struggling a bit
 

That's excellent news. Congratulations to you. So pleased to hear that your dad is getting better.

Re: Struggling a bit
 

I still can't fathom why there's a roller skating cow on one of JustCol's pictures though...

Re: Struggling a bit
 

It's actually on a skateboard and even the animals go in for extreme sports here.

Re: Struggling a bit
 

:thumbsup: although, oh my goodness, no-one tell the ponies that if I manage to bring one over :blink:

Re: Struggling a bit
 

Just spotted this and wanted to say a big WELL DONE Hazelnut on passing. Glad other hurdles in your life are sorting themselves too. Get well soon to Hazelnut's dad!!!

Re: Struggling a bit
 

I survived the course and my portfolio of theoretical and practical assignments was passed yesterday :thumbsup:

Just need to pass the final exam day (both theory and practical elements) on 16th March and my 2.5yrs of retraining is DONE. I'm devoting evenings and weekends to practising and rehearsing for exam day but it could go either way.

If I pass I'll have three qualifications (vocational and academic) that are all relevant to my new career plus a *lot* of evidence to submit for membership of equivalent, professional body in NZ.

The sad balance is that my parents have deteriorated so badly in the last month that they need to be urgently rehoused into sheltered accommodation and we can't find any. I'm currently spending a lot of time driving 350 miles each way to speak to medics, social services and care homes. I'm desperately hoping we can move them within the next six months so they are safe in case we have the chance to move.

Re: Struggling a bit
 

Well done so far and best of British for the 16th.

Sorry to hear about your parentals. I hope you can find somewhere suitable for them quickly. It's such a huge worry isn't it.

My mum has been ill for years and frankly me and my brothers are surprised she's still alive (she turned 80 last month) but my major concern lately has been my dad. My sil tells me that in the last 3 months he has suddenly turned into a little old man. As a daddy's girl, I'm feeling very upset about this. My sil is being a rock and at least tells me how it is, my brother is in denial and talks of my mum getting better. That isn't going to happen.

We shall be over in June to try and assist in sorting them out, they can't live in their own house for too much longer. I looked at sheltered accommodation in their home town and what's available is just not suitable.

Study along with all the worry and travelling will take it's toll so be gentle on yourself.

Re: Struggling a bit
 

I had to leave my mother's bedside to travel home to sit my final assessment on the 16th before racing back down again to give her the amazing news that I had passed and have my new career just 24hrs before she passed away. Bittersweet.

Thank you for the support in this thread everyone, I often come back to it when feeling low

Hope the travel plans for June are going OK VitalS.

Re: Struggling a bit
 

I can imagine that that was bittersweet for you. I bet she was so proud of you, a gift for you both.

Travel plans are a bit up and down, sort of like my mood at present :lol:. On the plus side my Dad has a diagnosis for his hands and shoulder joints and is being treated for it. He is feeling much better and is sounding so much better too. A huge relief for me and him! So we shall see what June brings and take it from there.