Still here; still loving it
 

Hello folks. Got PR a year ago now and still loving life in Australia. Just after getting PR I travelled to the UK and when I came back I found my marriage had unexpectedly (to me!) ended. Started my new career, got on with life and recently met a lovely Australian woman and life here just gets better and better. Love seeing the whales; love my daughters having all the amazing opportunities of life here; love my new career and its challenges. About to buy the house I have been renting since arrival.
Life is good. Unexpected changes but in the end, all good. And it is true that what doesn't kill you certainly makes you stronger.
Citizenship application about to go in ...
With love, the happy Bourbon Biscuit ... who will hopefully become a Tim Tam :lol:

Re: Still here; still loving it
 

Thanks for the update BB, it's great to hear that you're enjoying life in Australia. You have exactly the right sort of approach to life that sees people make a success of living in a new country, overcome and adapt to the unexpected challenges and grab the opportunities with both hands. Wishing you, your partner and your daughters every happiness in the future and I'm looking forward to toasting your citienship, er, your Tim Tam :lol:

Re: Still here; still loving it
 

Another year in: been in Australia 5.5 years now and been living overseas since January 2007.

More changes to the Bourbon's life this year: I moved to Canberra. Newcastle is too small when your ex husband takes up with another woman in the same health service and being in Newcastle was making my younger daughter ill so we moved to be in the same city as my older daughter and her now-fiancee. I landed on my feet with a fantastic new job I love, and there has been talk of exciting promotions. Still with my woman, happily managing long distance. Still in love with Australia and the life it has given me: oldest daughter graduated from ANU with her double degree and bagged a great job in the public service sector and bought an apartment with her boyfriend. They love climbing and skiing and all things Canberra. We love living near them. Younger daughter is completing her high school qualification at a college and planning to go to ANU also. She has chronic fatigue (3 yrs now) and not being able to adjust to an often almost disabled daughter is one of the reasons my husband left but my daughter and I have adjusted our lives and she may move out of home next year with me close by so she can come back when she needs to. I have adjusted to the vast distances and can happily drive to Newy for the weekend. Recently drove to SE Q'land to swim with turtles. Planning a solo road trip to Alice Springs when COVID settles.

Got my letter of citizenship acceptance in the post - just go to have a ceremony and then the BB becomes a Tim Tam. I love the opportunities and lifestyle Australia has to offer. It has taken hard work and heartbreak to get here but I know I will grow old and die here. I expected that to be with the man I met in adolescence and loved all my life but life is nothing if not full of unexpected change. I can do change, it turns out.

My girls appreciate their lives here. Older one loves the freedom and environment and career opportunities - she will never move back I don't think. Younger one is still wistful about NZ and the UK but time will tell.

BB

Re: Still here; still loving it
 

Really pleased to hear from you BB and so glad that you are happy . Very much deserved .

Re: Still here; still loving it
 

The only two places I’d live in Australia are Canberra and Newcastle. More on in Canberra and ski resorts close.

Re: Still here; still loving it
 

It's always lovely to hear of a success story, well done to you and your family and good luck with the citizen application. ps I like Tim Tams but I love (and miss) Cherry Ripes

Re: Still here; still loving it
 

So glad it has all worked out for you! Dont tell everyone that living here in Canberra is pretty good, they'll all want to come!

Re: Still here; still loving it
 

They are. Early 2020 North Canberra was the fastest growing area in the country.

Re: Still here; still loving it
 

Really pleased that it's all working out for you BB. Wish we'd gone to Aussie. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

Re: Still here; still loving it
 

I'm really pleased it worked out well for you, that's fantastic! Congratulations.

Did you answer all those tricky questions and get your citizenship? I don't think I've ever swotted so hard for anything else in my life :rofl:

Oh wait, I just read your other post
:thumbsup: