British Expats - Our Year in Perth

Exactly one year ago tomorrow we landed in Perth.

I thought the visa process was hard but nothing prepared me for the emotions that came AFTER we emigrated.

We hadn't been to WA before and had STNI sponsorship - it was the only state we could get sponsorship for as we were 5 points short.

We packed up our boxes and our cat and made the move and thanks to some damn good friends - Gobbyjock, Streaks, Sunbather, Sam, to name but a few, were able to settle quickly.

Mr PP got a job in the first week if my memory serves me, I got a job 4 weeks after arriving and although my job is in the balance due to lay offs, each day I go in to work I know I am OK for the moment - but as you know with lay offs, this could change in an instant - still no point in worrying about what may or may not happen.

We managed to get enough cash together for a very small (high mortgage) deposit which was boosted with the governments $7,000 and the $2,000 REBA grant and bought our very first home - a small 3 bedroom duplex with a big garden!

So 7 months after we landed in Australia, we moved in to our house which is in need of decorating, the garden needs landscaping - but it felt right from the day we were first shown around. When we can afford it, we will paint it and hopefully do up the garden - which trust me is a challenge!

A small black Kelpie managed to worm his way into our lives from the rescue home - picked by Mr PP who wanted something different from a whippet (our previous dog). Rocky has dug up our garden, chewed up stuff and eaten an entire Yellow Pages and has learned that he can charm us with his big Kelpie head and ears like a satellite system.

He has learned to guard our house very well, Gordon the cat has found a mate and can be seen hanging around the dogs neck kicking furiously as Rocky runs around the living room.

I still wake up feeling an ache for my family, I still marvel at the wildlife, I still have to pinch myself when I think of the good friends I have made in my job and I have to bite my lip to stop myself from crying when I see anything with the Union Jack on it.

The Pommie jokes at work - well its a regular occurance now, I give as good as I get.:thumbsup:

Things annoy me here - just like they did in the UK, I have swapped one set of gripes for another, that is just life really.

Mr PP said he has never been happier with his life and it shows:wub:

I can remember 4 years ago being bogged down with TRA stuff and then 2 years later, Mr PP having to make 2 trips to his country (2 weeks after terrorists set off bombs) to get his army documents, we were so scared something would happen to him - even the Foreigh Office said they couldnt assure his safety and advised him not to go.

We never thought we would get here, our visa application was complicated and nothing was ever certain (ask The Lombard about that!)

Has it been worth it? Yes it has and no we won't be going back to the UK. But I will say that you must never underestimate how painful 'people sickness' can be, especially if you dont have a spare few grand to fly back to the UK.

Our first Christmas was emotional, I kept getting upset at certain songs which I guess is normal as Mum had died on Boxing Day in 2005, so painful memories are part of Christmas for me. Although I did enjoy Christmas and it felt like Christmas to me, even with the sun shining! I left a Christmas message for my family on Youtube and my sister cried through it:o

New Years Eve in the UK, Dad phoned me up - it was in the morning in Perth and he had organised with his pub landlord to turn down the music and put the TV on so I could hear it, even the punters went along with it, he wanted me to hear Jools Holland do his Hogmany thing. I had my phone on speaker so half the street heard it. I had goosebumps as we heard the live countdown into 2009 from the United Kingdom.

Dad got back on the phone crying his eyes out, I sat outside the cafe crying my eyes out - I couldnt believe I had just heard my Dad see in his New Year. Lots of POMs gravitated towards us as they could hear my speakers on my mobile and then the bagpipes do Auld Lang Syne(sp). I remember holding that bloody phone up and the bagpipes playing, and everyone around us listening.

It is Mr PP and I's wedding anniversary on Monday - I think it is 18 years (need to check:o). We will be celebrating tomorrow and it is also our years anniversary in Perth.

I feel at home in Perth, the climate suits me (asthma alot better than it was), we have made lots of friends and I have gone from that lost feeling when you first land at Perth airport to feeling settled.

You do feel somewhat 'unanchored' when you move here, you do feel vulnerable but home wasn't built overnight and it takes time to put down foundations, for anything.

Shit still happens, I have had a pre cancerous mole removed, the receptionist got the results wrong and told me it was fine and the doctor called me a bit later to tell me. I still need check ups twice a year and a body scan once a year.

But it is all good because I am a high risk anyway and I would never have had my mole removed in the UK as it looked normal and my GP wouldnt have even entertained the idea so I am glad it has been picked up and I can keep an eye on myself.

With regards to work, there is no doubt that my job has been good for me mentally, given me confidence and good friendships - being busy is the way forward - for me anyway.

The only advice I can offer is to remember you and your partner are on the same side, whoever you get annoyed with, it shouldn't be each other. Your goals are the same, to be happy and settled so keep that in mind when things get a bit much, take a step back and try and do some of the stuff that put you into your comfort zone in the UK.

Keep busy, even if it is voluntary work.

If you are applying for jobs, then go and see the agencies in person, look smart and do your research on each job they may send you for. I researched my current company to death and had a full spiel by the time my interview date came.

Take up offers of parties/BBQs even if you dont feel like socialising much.

Having a dog really helped me, God I love my little black kelpie puppy when he gives me a cuddle after a bad bout of 'people sickness':wub:

Never underestimate the enormity of emigrating, take one day at a time and don't take things personally - its a long journey to be fully settled and you cant rush it.

Don't expect things to be perfect, nothing in life is and no place is perfect either, you will still have your routine, still have to do things you don't enjoy (housework, shopping etc). When things do go wrong, it isn't the fault of the country you are in, it's life.

We still havent got a car, saving for one though so shouldnt be long! We manage with public transport and are doing just fine although I can't wait till we get a car I must admit.

Its hard to believe that I havent seen my family and friends for a year but I look back and realise just how much strength we had and still have to do this, both as individuals and as a couple and you know what? I am quite proud of myself - of both of us.

Looking back 4 years ago, when I read all of our paperwork, at the diaries I kept - it seemed like we would never get here.

But we did get here and I wouldnt change anything.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Professional Princess (Post 7353167)

can't believe your there a year:eek:
great post!