Originally Posted by Issie (Post 6307960)

I work in ICU .........i knew it would be hard to move anywhere i suppose i had worked at my last hospital 20 years and the last unit 11 years , and worked with some great people. It takes time for people to get to know you and your competencies. Its got better.......i hope its not put you off.

Good luck :)

Originally Posted by Issie (Post 6280680)

Where has the time gone :confused:

Well we landed in Perth on 28th January after spending 5 nights in Singapore ( which was tiring but good ). Anyway we were met by a fabulous friends Walla, Dawn, Deb and Mick. They came in separate cars and we had ours to pick up at the airport, well its a good job with our 6 suitcases. So we all left separately and i had said that the key would be left outside in the cupboard. We turns up and they where all in and had the wine already flowing :rofl: They had provided us with a food hamper glasses, beer and even stubby holders. That night i didnt want them to leave....that night i felt lonely in our rental.

So.....the first week was spent getting the essentials organised. TFN, medicare, Driving license, kids uniforms ( we had already organised a school before we left), my uniforms ( i had already had a job before we left).

The second week we threw the kids into school ( not daft eh !!!) and we got on with finding 2 cars. I suppose this was the biggest pain in the arse. There are some piles of shite out there and they still sell them for $1000's , so be careful what you choose and get a mechanic to check it over before you buy we did at a cost of $90 and we have a a great Nissan Terrono 2 parked on our drive now.

Week 3 was ' our ' week to try and chill, it would be our last together for a while so we made the most of it, with trips to the beach and regular lunches out.

By week 4 i had started work and hated it from day one...but it has got better. I have 20 years on nursing behind me, been in charge for a number of years and to have some stuck up 20 year old with less than 5 years experience telling you what to do it very frustrating, but you know i have got over it. I remember coming home form work one day crying ( yet again ).....i decided that i wasn't going into work the next day. I made up some lunch , took a book with me and headed to the beach, i was the only one ont he beach. I had a long think about things and basically cleared my head. It did wonders for me and now i am ok. Don't get me wrong its not like my job back in the UK ...but HEY i am not in the UK so lets get on with it.

Weeks 5, 6 and 7 ....My lovely hubby was a stay home Dad, which the kids loved as he is much softer than me. I would always get in from work with the run down of his day and what he had bought from the shops in list form ( why is it they do that )

Week 8 and Hubby had found work in his usual field of work as a Manager, money is much better than in the UK and he is finding it OK.....as he says 'its a job for now '

By week 9 we only had 4 weeks left on our rental so we knew we would have to start looking...boy what an experience. 15 other couples turning up for one house is a bit daunting. But a stroke of luck happened in that we had a phone call from the landlord asking if we wanted to long term rent the one we where in ...YES YES YES !!! We pay $380 a week now and we are in a great location and we love it.

The remaining weeks saw our container arrive safely with nothing missing or broken ( that much ) ....we have bought some lovely things for the house, which could never have afforded in the UK...so thats been fun. I celebrated my 40th, we have surfed and snorkeled and nearly drowned doing both :ohmy:

The kids are happy and settled in school , Eldest thinks her work is too easy for her, but have been reassured by teacher.

So in 13 weeks....we have come along way. I havent been homesick, but i have missed my family and friends. Its too early to say whats around the corner. I love Perth . i love Australia and right now wouldn't want to be anywhere else in the world.

For all those waiting good luck....
For all those going back.......good luck, at least you have tried it, more than some would ever do.

Take it easy...

Originally Posted by kendalanita (Post 6346384)

God I am so jealous but so happy for you, just wished we felt the same! We have been here 5 weeks and hating it - we got Canberra, job not turned out as hoped, paying $425 in rental per week and bored out of our tiny minds. OH so upset about the job, he took a 50% reduction in his salary to come here and now it's not as we'd hoped so he's gutted, keeps saying 'what have we done'!! I really think when this rental runs out in Dec he will say he's going home - there is just nothing he likes at the moment, that may well change but somehow I dont think it will - well not here anyway! Gutted!