Cheetah7

On the 8th July it will be four months since we landed in Perth.

In that four months Mr PP is now on his second job, I temped for an agency (actually working for them) and now have a full time position for a large company.

We are very happy living in Freo and are renting a house - the agency said they are happy to extend our tenancy for at least another 12 months when our 6 month contract is up - good job as I love living here.

I don't miss England at all but miss my friends and family to the point that it hurts, yet the thought of living in England again makes me feel quite sick - god knows why I feel like that as I never hated England?.

I have my 'God I am in Australia' moments when I am playing a particular record that reminds me of my pre visa days when I would scour the internet for a 'way in' and I can't believe that we are here - especially when I see parrots/dolphins etc.

Sometimes when I am walking down the street completely at home, I will have a moment where I realise just how far away I am from everyone I know/love and I panic.

I have been ill for the past 8 weeks - since I entered the Aussie workforce, swollen glands, sore throat, bad chest - you name it.

Having made some good friends with my work colleagues - English and Aussie, I can honestly say that I enjoy socialising with them out of work as well as in, something I never thought I would say.

Being a person who never enjoyed shopping, I don't miss anything like that from the UK - well I do miss my TV soaps but then I was a soap addict in the UK so I suppose that will never change! Vicar of Dibley and Wild at Heart gives me a good TV 'fix' if nothing else.

I have started to zoom in on anything British and can tune in to a British record - even if I hear it played in the distance. I can spot our flag a mile away and get quite upset that I can't visualise English money anymore - I guess I want to connect in some way to where I come from - a sort of invisible connection that makes me feel secure.

Having been a 'busy' person in England that would run fast and move heaven and earth to catch the next train, I am now someone that will see that I have only 3 minutes to catch the next train (3 minutes in the UK - my god I dreamt of having 3 minutes to get my train in England!), I will just say 'yeah, nah' kind of thing and wait for the next one Christ knows where I got that from, I would never be so laid back in England!

I reckon Australia comes with a package - missing your people till you cry, feeling somewhat un-anchored in your surroundings, homing in on anything English and at the same time, taking several steps back in your general speed of doing things and becoming quite laid back.

I wouldn't have done anything differently though, it has been a massive learning curve for us both.

Mr PP has less responsibility in his job and I have considerably more - we both have a social life and our bloody cat has gained a kg in weight and now weighs in at 8 kgs!!

We do far more here than we did in England - I think we were geographically disadvantaged before and as we both love the sea, we lived too far away yet couldn't afford to move there. With Freo, it just works for us, perhaps it might not be as good if we lived somewhere else, I don't know - but Freo works for us.

I am shocked at the intensity of the emotions I have experienced but if there is one thing that I am certain of, and that is I can't see me living anywhere else.

I will shortly have enough money to fly home for a surprise visit for Dad - next year I am planning but who knows, I will just rock up in his local.

But one bit of advice I will give and that is if you have just moved here, take one day at a time and be kind to yourself.

Rebuilding your new life does in no way happen overnight, your whole immune system needs time to adjust and a life takes time to build and you will experience inefficiency/bad service here just like you will anywhere else.

Australia is not ever going to become the racist free, violence free, drug free utopia you might be looking for. The 'better life' you are seeking will either be better or just different, but it really is the same shit but shinier bucket and as for me, well I always did like shinier things in my life

Cold, wet weather might be replaced for less cold, less wet weather that will chill you equally to the bone once acclimatised.

Going outside will mean putting suncream on, sunnies and a hat and skin cancer checks are part of life and when you want to see a doctor, you will pay to do so. Although personally speaking, the standard of medical care we receive here is far higher than we did where we lived before.

I like going in to a shop and being asked how I am, I don't think they always mean it but for a person that hates shopping, a friendly face and helpful attitude can mean a huge difference to someone like me.

That's it really, I had never been to Perth and it was a huge gamble moving here but yes, for us it has worked.

By christ it isn't easy and the feeling of vulnerability has never left me but for now I have a house I love, a job I love and good friends - the rest I take day by day.

I am hoping to get some articles published and have just been granted my Australian press pass - so for me, I am having more opportunities here and as for Mr PP, well he said he has never been happier.

Be prepared for change, for stress, for things to not always be as you expected and for some,things to be the same - as in human nature.

It might work for you and it might not, but if you go with an open mind then whatever you decide will be right for you in the end.

Now I must go, I killed myself in yoga yesterday and it is hurting to breathe

Oz Rascal

Hi PP,

Love your post - open, honest and great to hear you are getting on so well.

Hope you both continue to settle in as successfully as you've started.

Colin

username 34

so happy for you mate.

Cheetah7

Cheers guys.

I think when you are in the UK you can only imagine how it will be like, nothing can prepare you for the emotions, ones that never occured to you.

It certainly has been a learning curve - I never realised I had it in me.

PLANTS

Just love your honesty and talking from the heart PP.
So glad things are working out for you.
May it long continue
Plants

Nu-Shooz

4 months already time flies when you're having fun.

Great success you are having PP, long may it continue

herrchook

Well, there was a time when it never looked like your update from Oz would ever happen and here it is and full of optimism. What a difference a year makes Sam .

Love your idea of surprising your Dad, make sure you have someone on standby with a seat for him though lol.

And tell Gordon, if he wants to impress the ladies this summer, he's going to have cut back on the Snappy Tom .

Gill

melbournegirl

Are you a journalist? You said you wanted to get some articles published. I hope that you do because your post was a pleasure to read and beautifully written.

Cheetah7

I can't believe the physical effects of migrating - my immune system was the last thing I would have thought about. I would say now that taking care of your health is the first and foremost priority when you make this move.

Time bloody does fly, I cant believe I shall be 41 in August, last birthday we never even had the visa.

Gordon and his Snappy Tom, he won't eat anything else. He is so distressed when we leave him alone though, I would like to get another cat but Mr PP will take some persuading.

I used to do freelance stuff for a vet journal in the UK, and some work experience for my local paper and managed to get my Press pass.

I am just thrilled to get my Aussie press pass and have a few articles in mind, I am not sure if they would like my style of writing as it is very different here, but I can only try.

sunflower7

Great inspiring post Professional Princess. I've read many of your posts in the past, and am glad things are working out for you. Gives me hope for when I get there.

Cheetah7

God there were times when we didnt think we would ever get here and loads of times where we nearly cancelled everything after waiting 19 months for the visa application alone.

I remember sitting at home being out of work (self employed) and sitting at my pc for hours on end to seek ways of applying.

Certain records take me back to those moments - 'Usher' is one of them, I can't listen to it now.

mindblower

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Interseting and accurate post that Princess- well done on progress made to date.

Your right, the only things you will ever miss are family and friends.

I aint going back to "shitty britty" for sure.

It is worth all the stress in the end..

Dave

Cheetah7

It is so hard for me to explain, I loved London and didnt hate the UK yet the thought of living there again horrifies me, it feels wrong and I don't know why either. I started to 'shut down' my life there for some time prior to our migration so perhaps I detached myself a while ago and that is the reason.

But when I see my Dad or family/friends - the urge to go and see them is incredibly strong - but only for a short while.

I just have more to do here - or perhaps just different things to do that suit me better than the UK - who knows?

I am fiercely proud of being British, I still harbour anger over the London bombings and remember saying 'what have they done to our London'.

That's it really, it will always be 'My London' and I hate anyone that poses a threat to it.

I just don't want to live there anymore. - God I sound confused.

philnorris

Hi PP, Thats a great update I am so so happy for you sounds like your really enjoying yourself now
I still have to wait before I can make my final move but I am soooooooooo looking forward to it
Maybe even see you out there.

Cheetah7

That's for sure, how good would it be to meet up for a beer!

How long do you reckon it will be before you move then?