Against the odds....................so far.
Oct 20th 2009 | 10:50 pm
#1
Thread Starter
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,331
From: Helensvale - yipeeeeeeeee!!
Against the odds....................so far.
Hello all,
Not quite ready for a full on update yet but I was just thinking.
We came here 9 months ago. Hubby aged 51 on a 457 visa. Hoping to get PR after 2 years.
Bought a house with FIRB approval (yes, still on temp visa).
Granted mortgage (I know!! Even on a temp visa after being in the country only 2 months).
Left all our family in the UK including my lovely parents who I am really close to.
I have found a job I enjoy and seem to be doing well (even though on a temp visa).
My kids have settled really well and seem to be doing well in school and making friends (even though the eldest is 15 and has a mind of his own).
We have made lovely friends.
I changed all my English plugs for Australian ones myself and we are not dead yet.
Opened a bank account from the UK which we still have now without any problems.
Sourced and organised shipment of a full container of our stuff from the the UK to the Gold Coast and it arrived with only one cheap plate broken. (and a bowl of pot pourri and a jar of garlic that thankfully customs missed).
Seamlessly transferred my youngest from Marmite to Vegemite without him noticing the difference.
Sampled lots of Australian alcoholic drinks to come to the conclusion that I like them all so am not pining for half a Carling.
And finally, have started calling football soccer and the sky has not fallen down.
So, there you go. Not showing off at all, just letting anyone know that might be worrying about moving that it can be done. Even by a no hoper like me, just bumbling through. Even if on paper you don't appear to tick all the boxes or you are a bit old or skint or inept.
Its not been easy, but its been easy enough to manage. We still have the stresses we had in the UK, jobs, money, kids schools etc. Same shit shinier bucket. The weekends are great. We do every weekend what we would save up all year in the UK to do on holiday.
I love it here. The birds, the bats, the sun, the rain (real rain worth waiting for, not that fine stuff that gets you wet). Meeting new people, hearing new accents. I love it that it makes the news when ONE boat of about 20 people is intercepted when it tries to get in. I love it that they have odd looking old people presenting the news and morning programmes when in the UK they would have been booted off years ago.
I love the irreverence of the news reporters and the refreshing notion that the world does not revolve around Obama. I love seeing people walking around without shoes and without fear of treading in dog shit. I also still marvel when I see a bbq in a park for public use. This could never happen in my local park in the UK.
I know some will disagree but for me and my family so far all is good and fingers crossed, I hope to say the same when I get round to my proper update.
Ren xx (Love it!!!)
Not quite ready for a full on update yet but I was just thinking.
We came here 9 months ago. Hubby aged 51 on a 457 visa. Hoping to get PR after 2 years.
Bought a house with FIRB approval (yes, still on temp visa).
Granted mortgage (I know!! Even on a temp visa after being in the country only 2 months).
Left all our family in the UK including my lovely parents who I am really close to.
I have found a job I enjoy and seem to be doing well (even though on a temp visa).
My kids have settled really well and seem to be doing well in school and making friends (even though the eldest is 15 and has a mind of his own).
We have made lovely friends.
I changed all my English plugs for Australian ones myself and we are not dead yet.
Opened a bank account from the UK which we still have now without any problems.
Sourced and organised shipment of a full container of our stuff from the the UK to the Gold Coast and it arrived with only one cheap plate broken. (and a bowl of pot pourri and a jar of garlic that thankfully customs missed).
Seamlessly transferred my youngest from Marmite to Vegemite without him noticing the difference.
Sampled lots of Australian alcoholic drinks to come to the conclusion that I like them all so am not pining for half a Carling.
And finally, have started calling football soccer and the sky has not fallen down.
So, there you go. Not showing off at all, just letting anyone know that might be worrying about moving that it can be done. Even by a no hoper like me, just bumbling through. Even if on paper you don't appear to tick all the boxes or you are a bit old or skint or inept.
Its not been easy, but its been easy enough to manage. We still have the stresses we had in the UK, jobs, money, kids schools etc. Same shit shinier bucket. The weekends are great. We do every weekend what we would save up all year in the UK to do on holiday.
I love it here. The birds, the bats, the sun, the rain (real rain worth waiting for, not that fine stuff that gets you wet). Meeting new people, hearing new accents. I love it that it makes the news when ONE boat of about 20 people is intercepted when it tries to get in. I love it that they have odd looking old people presenting the news and morning programmes when in the UK they would have been booted off years ago.
I love the irreverence of the news reporters and the refreshing notion that the world does not revolve around Obama. I love seeing people walking around without shoes and without fear of treading in dog shit. I also still marvel when I see a bbq in a park for public use. This could never happen in my local park in the UK.
I know some will disagree but for me and my family so far all is good and fingers crossed, I hope to say the same when I get round to my proper update.
Ren xx (Love it!!!)
Oct 21st 2009 | 1:26 am
#2
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 81
From: Warlingham, Surrey
Re: Against the odds....................so far.
Oct 21st 2009 | 5:55 am
#3
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 33
From: Wirral, UK
Re: Against the odds....................so far.
Great update, glad you're enjoying it xx
Oct 21st 2009 | 8:32 am
#4
Thread Starter
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,331
From: Helensvale - yipeeeeeeeee!!
Re: Against the odds....................so far.
Oct 21st 2009 | 11:56 pm
#5
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 473
From: Robina, GCoast
Re: Against the odds....................so far.
Lovely post, great reading thanks
Oct 22nd 2009 | 11:15 am
#6
this is home!!
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,973
From: laid back Springfield Lakes.............
Re: Against the odds....................so far.
Such a refreshing post
Nice to see somebody else feels like us about Oz.
Not a whinge in sight
Loz x
Nice to see somebody else feels like us about Oz.
Not a whinge in sight
Loz x
Oct 22nd 2009 | 10:56 pm
#7
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,674
From: Woodvale, WA
Re: Against the odds....................so far.
Great post!
Oct 23rd 2009 | 12:05 am
#8
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 212
From: Redcliffe, QLD.
Re: Against the odds....................so far.
Glad you are so happy and upbeat. A lovely post 
Oct 23rd 2009 | 1:22 am
#9
Just Joined
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 29
Re: Against the odds....................so far.
Thank you thank you thank you
Have found loads of interesting and useful topics on this site. Then i stray into a negative one or read about people hating it and want to come home, which makes me nervous and ready to change my mind. lovely to hear a positive post which is not all sugary sweet. We're ready for the hard work that a change of location anywhere would entail......i'm not going to read the returning home posts anymore !
Have found loads of interesting and useful topics on this site. Then i stray into a negative one or read about people hating it and want to come home, which makes me nervous and ready to change my mind. lovely to hear a positive post which is not all sugary sweet. We're ready for the hard work that a change of location anywhere would entail......i'm not going to read the returning home posts anymore !
Oct 23rd 2009 | 2:20 am
#10
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 473
From: Robina, GCoast
Re: Against the odds....................so far.
Thank you thank you thank you
Have found loads of interesting and useful topics on this site. Then i stray into a negative one or read about people hating it and want to come home, which makes me nervous and ready to change my mind. lovely to hear a positive post which is not all sugary sweet. We're ready for the hard work that a change of location anywhere would entail......i'm not going to read the returning home posts anymore !
Have found loads of interesting and useful topics on this site. Then i stray into a negative one or read about people hating it and want to come home, which makes me nervous and ready to change my mind. lovely to hear a positive post which is not all sugary sweet. We're ready for the hard work that a change of location anywhere would entail......i'm not going to read the returning home posts anymore !
Oct 23rd 2009 | 2:25 am
#11
'Made in Ulster' Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 6,578
From: Brisbane, QLD. (Though an Ulster girl through and through!)
Re: Against the odds....................so far.
Absolutely fantastic post, really spurred me on, thanku!
Oct 24th 2009 | 8:35 am
#12
Forum Regular
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 126
From: Leicester ex Sydney
Re: Against the odds....................so far.
Hello all,
Not quite ready for a full on update yet but I was just thinking.
We came here 9 months ago. Hubby aged 51 on a 457 visa. Hoping to get PR after 2 years.
Bought a house with FIRB approval (yes, still on temp visa).
Granted mortgage (I know!! Even on a temp visa after being in the country only 2 months).
Left all our family in the UK including my lovely parents who I am really close to.
I have found a job I enjoy and seem to be doing well (even though on a temp visa).
My kids have settled really well and seem to be doing well in school and making friends (even though the eldest is 15 and has a mind of his own).
We have made lovely friends.
I changed all my English plugs for Australian ones myself and we are not dead yet.
Opened a bank account from the UK which we still have now without any problems.
Sourced and organised shipment of a full container of our stuff from the the UK to the Gold Coast and it arrived with only one cheap plate broken. (and a bowl of pot pourri and a jar of garlic that thankfully customs missed).
Seamlessly transferred my youngest from Marmite to Vegemite without him noticing the difference.
Sampled lots of Australian alcoholic drinks to come to the conclusion that I like them all so am not pining for half a Carling.
And finally, have started calling football soccer and the sky has not fallen down.
So, there you go. Not showing off at all, just letting anyone know that might be worrying about moving that it can be done. Even by a no hoper like me, just bumbling through. Even if on paper you don't appear to tick all the boxes or you are a bit old or skint or inept.
Its not been easy, but its been easy enough to manage. We still have the stresses we had in the UK, jobs, money, kids schools etc. Same shit shinier bucket. The weekends are great. We do every weekend what we would save up all year in the UK to do on holiday.
I love it here. The birds, the bats, the sun, the rain (real rain worth waiting for, not that fine stuff that gets you wet). Meeting new people, hearing new accents. I love it that it makes the news when ONE boat of about 20 people is intercepted when it tries to get in. I love it that they have odd looking old people presenting the news and morning programmes when in the UK they would have been booted off years ago.
I love the irreverence of the news reporters and the refreshing notion that the world does not revolve around Obama. I love seeing people walking around without shoes and without fear of treading in dog shit. I also still marvel when I see a bbq in a park for public use. This could never happen in my local park in the UK.
I know some will disagree but for me and my family so far all is good and fingers crossed, I hope to say the same when I get round to my proper update.
Ren xx (Love it!!!)
Not quite ready for a full on update yet but I was just thinking.
We came here 9 months ago. Hubby aged 51 on a 457 visa. Hoping to get PR after 2 years.
Bought a house with FIRB approval (yes, still on temp visa).
Granted mortgage (I know!! Even on a temp visa after being in the country only 2 months).
Left all our family in the UK including my lovely parents who I am really close to.
I have found a job I enjoy and seem to be doing well (even though on a temp visa).
My kids have settled really well and seem to be doing well in school and making friends (even though the eldest is 15 and has a mind of his own).
We have made lovely friends.
I changed all my English plugs for Australian ones myself and we are not dead yet.
Opened a bank account from the UK which we still have now without any problems.
Sourced and organised shipment of a full container of our stuff from the the UK to the Gold Coast and it arrived with only one cheap plate broken. (and a bowl of pot pourri and a jar of garlic that thankfully customs missed).
Seamlessly transferred my youngest from Marmite to Vegemite without him noticing the difference.
Sampled lots of Australian alcoholic drinks to come to the conclusion that I like them all so am not pining for half a Carling.
And finally, have started calling football soccer and the sky has not fallen down.
So, there you go. Not showing off at all, just letting anyone know that might be worrying about moving that it can be done. Even by a no hoper like me, just bumbling through. Even if on paper you don't appear to tick all the boxes or you are a bit old or skint or inept.
Its not been easy, but its been easy enough to manage. We still have the stresses we had in the UK, jobs, money, kids schools etc. Same shit shinier bucket. The weekends are great. We do every weekend what we would save up all year in the UK to do on holiday.
I love it here. The birds, the bats, the sun, the rain (real rain worth waiting for, not that fine stuff that gets you wet). Meeting new people, hearing new accents. I love it that it makes the news when ONE boat of about 20 people is intercepted when it tries to get in. I love it that they have odd looking old people presenting the news and morning programmes when in the UK they would have been booted off years ago.
I love the irreverence of the news reporters and the refreshing notion that the world does not revolve around Obama. I love seeing people walking around without shoes and without fear of treading in dog shit. I also still marvel when I see a bbq in a park for public use. This could never happen in my local park in the UK.
I know some will disagree but for me and my family so far all is good and fingers crossed, I hope to say the same when I get round to my proper update.
Ren xx (Love it!!!)
Oct 24th 2009 | 10:11 am
#13
markj
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 460
Re: Against the odds....................so far.
Great post, long may your happiness continue
Oct 24th 2009 | 11:02 am
#14
Thread Starter
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,331
From: Helensvale - yipeeeeeeeee!!
Re: Against the odds....................so far.
Thank you for your replies. Today makes my point really. All feeling tired, pre pay day skintness and not feeling up to much so we are "just" going to Broadbeach (via Bunnings of course, it is Sunday) for a bit of beach and mooching around.
Oct 24th 2009 | 12:29 pm
#15
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 259
From: Melbourne Australia!
Re: Against the odds....................so far.
Hello all,
Not quite ready for a full on update yet but I was just thinking.
We came here 9 months ago. Hubby aged 51 on a 457 visa. Hoping to get PR after 2 years.
Bought a house with FIRB approval (yes, still on temp visa).
Granted mortgage (I know!! Even on a temp visa after being in the country only 2 months).
Left all our family in the UK including my lovely parents who I am really close to.
I have found a job I enjoy and seem to be doing well (even though on a temp visa).
My kids have settled really well and seem to be doing well in school and making friends (even though the eldest is 15 and has a mind of his own).
We have made lovely friends.
I changed all my English plugs for Australian ones myself and we are not dead yet.
Opened a bank account from the UK which we still have now without any problems.
Sourced and organised shipment of a full container of our stuff from the the UK to the Gold Coast and it arrived with only one cheap plate broken. (and a bowl of pot pourri and a jar of garlic that thankfully customs missed).
Seamlessly transferred my youngest from Marmite to Vegemite without him noticing the difference.
Sampled lots of Australian alcoholic drinks to come to the conclusion that I like them all so am not pining for half a Carling.
And finally, have started calling football soccer and the sky has not fallen down.
So, there you go. Not showing off at all, just letting anyone know that might be worrying about moving that it can be done. Even by a no hoper like me, just bumbling through. Even if on paper you don't appear to tick all the boxes or you are a bit old or skint or inept.
Its not been easy, but its been easy enough to manage. We still have the stresses we had in the UK, jobs, money, kids schools etc. Same shit shinier bucket. The weekends are great. We do every weekend what we would save up all year in the UK to do on holiday.
I love it here. The birds, the bats, the sun, the rain (real rain worth waiting for, not that fine stuff that gets you wet). Meeting new people, hearing new accents. I love it that it makes the news when ONE boat of about 20 people is intercepted when it tries to get in. I love it that they have odd looking old people presenting the news and morning programmes when in the UK they would have been booted off years ago.
I love the irreverence of the news reporters and the refreshing notion that the world does not revolve around Obama. I love seeing people walking around without shoes and without fear of treading in dog shit. I also still marvel when I see a bbq in a park for public use. This could never happen in my local park in the UK.
I know some will disagree but for me and my family so far all is good and fingers crossed, I hope to say the same when I get round to my proper update.
Ren xx (Love it!!!)
Not quite ready for a full on update yet but I was just thinking.
We came here 9 months ago. Hubby aged 51 on a 457 visa. Hoping to get PR after 2 years.
Bought a house with FIRB approval (yes, still on temp visa).
Granted mortgage (I know!! Even on a temp visa after being in the country only 2 months).
Left all our family in the UK including my lovely parents who I am really close to.
I have found a job I enjoy and seem to be doing well (even though on a temp visa).
My kids have settled really well and seem to be doing well in school and making friends (even though the eldest is 15 and has a mind of his own).
We have made lovely friends.
I changed all my English plugs for Australian ones myself and we are not dead yet.
Opened a bank account from the UK which we still have now without any problems.
Sourced and organised shipment of a full container of our stuff from the the UK to the Gold Coast and it arrived with only one cheap plate broken. (and a bowl of pot pourri and a jar of garlic that thankfully customs missed).
Seamlessly transferred my youngest from Marmite to Vegemite without him noticing the difference.
Sampled lots of Australian alcoholic drinks to come to the conclusion that I like them all so am not pining for half a Carling.
And finally, have started calling football soccer and the sky has not fallen down.
So, there you go. Not showing off at all, just letting anyone know that might be worrying about moving that it can be done. Even by a no hoper like me, just bumbling through. Even if on paper you don't appear to tick all the boxes or you are a bit old or skint or inept.
Its not been easy, but its been easy enough to manage. We still have the stresses we had in the UK, jobs, money, kids schools etc. Same shit shinier bucket. The weekends are great. We do every weekend what we would save up all year in the UK to do on holiday.
I love it here. The birds, the bats, the sun, the rain (real rain worth waiting for, not that fine stuff that gets you wet). Meeting new people, hearing new accents. I love it that it makes the news when ONE boat of about 20 people is intercepted when it tries to get in. I love it that they have odd looking old people presenting the news and morning programmes when in the UK they would have been booted off years ago.
I love the irreverence of the news reporters and the refreshing notion that the world does not revolve around Obama. I love seeing people walking around without shoes and without fear of treading in dog shit. I also still marvel when I see a bbq in a park for public use. This could never happen in my local park in the UK.
I know some will disagree but for me and my family so far all is good and fingers crossed, I hope to say the same when I get round to my proper update.
Ren xx (Love it!!!)
Couldn't agree more, we have been here 7 months so far and although we have our ups and downs (as you said same shit shinier bucket) overall it's been great and we love it here.
I hope you feel the same in years to come
