|
1 Year in Brisbane...
Wow, can't believe it's been a year. Some days it feels like we've been here forever and other days it feels like 10 minutes.
Still enjoying Australia and think we will stay! We've chatted about whether we would ever want to go back to the UK and neither of us can see it happening (never say never, but our lives are here right now). We've been quite fortunate since we arrived, hubby found a job within a week and half (aluminium welder) and he actually turned down a few in the first month. He's not at the same job anymore but he enjoys the work he's doing and he's recently started up his own business, we advertised in the local paper and have given out a few business cards here and there and so far so good! He's not getting enough work to give up the day job but it's a good side line and we're hoping it'll only get bigger and better. Me? Well since we got here I put my then 8 month old boy into daycare and started work part time, 22 hours a week for a major bank working for their wealth management division dealing with queries and admin of super and managed funds. Not bad considering I posted a thread not long before we moved asking what super was!! I think my financial services experience in the UK helped me. After working there for about 4 months I was offered the opportunity to work from home, so no more commutes for me! I still have to have the boy in Daycare because I can't juggle a toddler and clients! But it's still nice to have a short walk to the spare room to start my day. :) But I'm not actually working at the moment because in December we had a little girl :wub: I thought the health care I received whilst pregnant and giving birth to be really good. We're on PR and I didn't pay for a thing (Bulk Billing GP ;)) and I found all the facilities and hospital to be really good. Only downside to the care I received was the absolute lack of aftercare. Once I'd left the hospital (6 hours after birth, my request) I received no attention from the midwives even though I'd signed up for the in home care. It was a bloody good job I didn't have PND or I would've been severely let down. :thumbdown: Luckily for the birth my mum came over for 3 weeks :thumbsup: she left my Dad at home but they're both coming out March '11. To anyone who has family coming over, don't underestimate how hard the goodbye is. When we dropped her off at the airport I was heart broken. I didn't want her to go. It was so so hard :( We've got more visitors in September, the OH's mum and step dad, I get on with them so it should be a good visit! Hmm what else is there? Oh we've made friends, we do the BBQ scene, and now I'm on maternity leave I'm enjoying coffee mornings and lunch with the girls :) I don't think I'm going to want to go back to work you know...! We're very happy here and life is good, when the kids are a bit older we'll really get to experience Australia, juggling a 20 month old and 13 week old baby can be a bit tricky. We want to get into camping and do some road trips, but we've got all the time in the world to do that :) There are things we don't like about Australia, the standard of driving is shockingly shite and there are mobile speed camera's that hide in the bushes. Kids clothes are poorly made and expensive. Not keen on the pubs and taverns, much prefer an English boozer! If you want a night out your only option is the CBD which is hassle if you live 40 minutes away. Food shopping is dearer and yes I could probably trawl 7 different shops to get a watermelon but in reality who has the time? Take Aways are very hit and miss, Indian takeaways are crap, Chinese isn't too bad. Macca's are on every corner, sometime it's just so easy to grab a a Big Mac... :o But there are lots of things I love... The weather, the beaches, the parks, the free BBQ's, petrols cheaper, more assistance with child care fee's, drive through bottle shops, cheap Tuesday's, the houses, the yards and lots more. So that's our year in a nutshell, haven't covered everything but the important thing is, we're happy. We love our lives in Australia and we'll be sticking around for the forseable. Louise, Mark, James & Isabel |
Re: 1 Year in Brisbane...
That's lovely Louise & well done:thumbsup:
|
Re: 1 Year in Brisbane...
Originally Posted by Louiseh86
(Post 8403256)
Wow, can't believe it's been a year. Some days it feels like we've been here forever and other days it feels like 10 minutes.
Still enjoying Australia and think we will stay! We've chatted about whether we would ever want to go back to the UK and neither of us can see it happening (never say never, but our lives are here right now). We've been quite fortunate since we arrived, hubby found a job within a week and half (aluminium welder) and he actually turned down a few in the first month. He's not at the same job anymore but he enjoys the work he's doing and he's recently started up his own business, we advertised in the local paper and have given out a few business cards here and there and so far so good! He's not getting enough work to give up the day job but it's a good side line and we're hoping it'll only get bigger and better. Me? Well since we got here I put my then 8 month old boy into daycare and started work part time, 22 hours a week for a major bank working for their wealth management division dealing with queries and admin of super and managed funds. Not bad considering I posted a thread not long before we moved asking what super was!! I think my financial services experience in the UK helped me. After working there for about 4 months I was offered the opportunity to work from home, so no more commutes for me! I still have to have the boy in Daycare because I can't juggle a toddler and clients! But it's still nice to have a short walk to the spare room to start my day. :) But I'm not actually working at the moment because in December we had a little girl :wub: I thought the health care I received whilst pregnant and giving birth to be really good. We're on PR and I didn't pay for a thing (Bulk Billing GP ;)) and I found all the facilities and hospital to be really good. Only downside to the care I received was the absolute lack of aftercare. Once I'd left the hospital (6 hours after birth, my request) I received no attention from the midwives even though I'd signed up for the in home care. It was a bloody good job I didn't have PND or I would've been severely let down. :thumbdown: Luckily for the birth my mum came over for 3 weeks :thumbsup: she left my Dad at home but they're both coming out March '11. To anyone who has family coming over, don't underestimate how hard the goodbye is. When we dropped her off at the airport I was heart broken. I didn't want her to go. It was so so hard :( We've got more visitors in September, the OH's mum and step dad, I get on with them so it should be a good visit! Hmm what else is there? Oh we've made friends, we do the BBQ scene, and now I'm on maternity leave I'm enjoying coffee mornings and lunch with the girls :) I don't think I'm going to want to go back to work you know...! We're very happy here and life is good, when the kids are a bit older we'll really get to experience Australia, juggling a 20 month old and 13 week old baby can be a bit tricky. We want to get into camping and do some road trips, but we've got all the time in the world to do that :) There are things we don't like about Australia, the standard of driving is shockingly shite and there are mobile speed camera's that hide in the bushes. Kids clothes are poorly made and expensive. Not keen on the pubs and taverns, much prefer an English boozer! If you want a night out your only option is the CBD which is hassle if you live 40 minutes away. Food shopping is dearer and yes I could probably trawl 7 different shops to get a watermelon but in reality who has the time? Take Aways are very hit and miss, Indian takeaways are crap, Chinese isn't too bad. Macca's are on every corner, sometime it's just so easy to grab a a Big Mac... :o But there are lots of things I love... The weather, the beaches, the parks, the free BBQ's, petrols cheaper, more assistance with child care fee's, drive through bottle shops, cheap Tuesday's, the houses, the yards and lots more. So that's our year in a nutshell, haven't covered everything but the important thing is, we're happy. We love our lives in Australia and we'll be sticking around for the forseable. Louise, Mark, James & Isabel |
Re: 1 Year in Brisbane...
Sounds good. Brilliant about the work situation, that seems to be where a lot of people struggle and that makes everything else a struggle.
|
Re: 1 Year in Brisbane...
Excellent update. Thanks. :thumbup:
|
Re: 1 Year in Brisbane...
Loved reading your update x
|
Re: 1 Year in Brisbane...
Thanks for the update Louise sounds like you are well settled.
|
Re: 1 Year in Brisbane...
Great post Louise :thumbup:
|
Re: 1 Year in Brisbane...
Loved reading your update - thanks for sharing.
|
Re: 1 Year in Brisbane...
More, More! :thumbup:
|
Re: 1 Year in Brisbane...
Originally Posted by Sally Simpson
(Post 8403284)
That's lovely Louise & well done:thumbsup:
Originally Posted by scottishcelts
(Post 8403397)
:thumbsup: loved it Louise, thanks xxx
Originally Posted by moneypenny20
(Post 8403498)
Sounds good. Brilliant about the work situation, that seems to be where a lot of people struggle and that makes everything else a struggle.
Originally Posted by nbn8
(Post 8404674)
Loved reading your update x
Originally Posted by Kapri
(Post 8406416)
Great post Louise :thumbup:
Originally Posted by Alfresco
(Post 8407721)
More, More! :thumbup:
Originally Posted by MrsE
(Post 8407468)
Loved reading your update - thanks for sharing.
|
Re: 1 Year in Brisbane...
Originally Posted by Louiseh86
(Post 8403256)
So that's our year in a nutshell, haven't covered everything but the important thing is, we're happy. We love our lives in Australia and we'll be sticking around for the forseable. Louise, Mark, James & Isabel re: the home visits after giving birth, maybe you were unlucky ? :confused: A nurse came out 3 times in the week after my wife gave birth. Like you, we both felt that the whole experience was great and couldn't speak highly enough of the hospital or staff. re: indian takeaways, these are extremely variable in quality, but there are some good ones around. By and large though, they are different to the UK style. |
Re: 1 Year in Brisbane...
Originally Posted by asprilla
(Post 8408259)
Nice one Louise, really enjoyed reading your story ! Sounds like you guys have had a great year.
re: the home visits after giving birth, maybe you were unlucky ? :confused: A nurse came out 3 times in the week after my wife gave birth. Like you, we both felt that the whole experience was great and couldn't speak highly enough of the hospital or staff.
Originally Posted by asprilla
(Post 8408259)
re: indian takeaways, these are extremely variable in quality, but there are some good ones around. By and large though, they are different to the UK style.
|
Re: 1 Year in Brisbane...
Originally Posted by Louiseh86
(Post 8403256)
Wow, can't believe it's been a year. Some days it feels like we've been here forever and other days it feels like 10 minutes.
Still enjoying Australia and think we will stay! We've chatted about whether we would ever want to go back to the UK and neither of us can see it happening (never say never, but our lives are here right now). We've been quite fortunate since we arrived, hubby found a job within a week and half (aluminium welder) and he actually turned down a few in the first month. He's not at the same job anymore but he enjoys the work he's doing and he's recently started up his own business, we advertised in the local paper and have given out a few business cards here and there and so far so good! He's not getting enough work to give up the day job but it's a good side line and we're hoping it'll only get bigger and better. Me? Well since we got here I put my then 8 month old boy into daycare and started work part time, 22 hours a week for a major bank working for their wealth management division dealing with queries and admin of super and managed funds. Not bad considering I posted a thread not long before we moved asking what super was!! I think my financial services experience in the UK helped me. After working there for about 4 months I was offered the opportunity to work from home, so no more commutes for me! I still have to have the boy in Daycare because I can't juggle a toddler and clients! But it's still nice to have a short walk to the spare room to start my day. :) But I'm not actually working at the moment because in December we had a little girl :wub: I thought the health care I received whilst pregnant and giving birth to be really good. We're on PR and I didn't pay for a thing (Bulk Billing GP ;)) and I found all the facilities and hospital to be really good. Only downside to the care I received was the absolute lack of aftercare. Once I'd left the hospital (6 hours after birth, my request) I received no attention from the midwives even though I'd signed up for the in home care. It was a bloody good job I didn't have PND or I would've been severely let down. :thumbdown: Luckily for the birth my mum came over for 3 weeks :thumbsup: she left my Dad at home but they're both coming out March '11. To anyone who has family coming over, don't underestimate how hard the goodbye is. When we dropped her off at the airport I was heart broken. I didn't want her to go. It was so so hard :( We've got more visitors in September, the OH's mum and step dad, I get on with them so it should be a good visit! Hmm what else is there? Oh we've made friends, we do the BBQ scene, and now I'm on maternity leave I'm enjoying coffee mornings and lunch with the girls :) I don't think I'm going to want to go back to work you know...! We're very happy here and life is good, when the kids are a bit older we'll really get to experience Australia, juggling a 20 month old and 13 week old baby can be a bit tricky. We want to get into camping and do some road trips, but we've got all the time in the world to do that :) There are things we don't like about Australia, the standard of driving is shockingly shite and there are mobile speed camera's that hide in the bushes. Kids clothes are poorly made and expensive. Not keen on the pubs and taverns, much prefer an English boozer! If you want a night out your only option is the CBD which is hassle if you live 40 minutes away. Food shopping is dearer and yes I could probably trawl 7 different shops to get a watermelon but in reality who has the time? Take Aways are very hit and miss, Indian takeaways are crap, Chinese isn't too bad. Macca's are on every corner, sometime it's just so easy to grab a a Big Mac... :o But there are lots of things I love... The weather, the beaches, the parks, the free BBQ's, petrols cheaper, more assistance with child care fee's, drive through bottle shops, cheap Tuesday's, the houses, the yards and lots more. So that's our year in a nutshell, haven't covered everything but the important thing is, we're happy. We love our lives in Australia and we'll be sticking around for the forseable. Louise, Mark, James & Isabel |
| All times are GMT. The time now is 12:00 am. |
Powered by vBulletin: ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.