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| Topic Started: Feb 9 2010, 12:23:47 AM (369 Views) | |
| canaussie | Feb 9 2010, 12:23:47 AM Post #1 |
True Blue Mate
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Feeling a little nauseated with nerves I think...not sure why when I've lived there before, so know what to expect. Its just leaving my family behind (again) that is upsetting. I just want to get there and start to live our lives again, we've been unsettled since October when we put our house up for sale. My dog left on Saturday so she is at the Eastern Creek quarantine station, word from them is that she is 'scared', which I knew she would be. I have rented a house for us, can't move in until the 24th. I had a phone interview last week, which I think I sucked at....so, do not expect to get it, will look more when we get there. Hubby has a possible job lined up for him as well. The plan for this week is to go and actually see the house we've rented - in person! Get our drivers licences fixed up, go to the medicare office, go to the bank (account already opened with Westpac) and go enroll our daughter into school. One thing my father said to me when I was saying goodbye to him last night was "have a good trip home"... I told him I was at home, he said "no Australia is your home".... can I not still Canada 'home'? This actually upset me, maybe I'm being sensitive I don't know. Anyway....thank god for skype! We'll be using it ALOT! |
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Paula (dual Canadian/Australian) married to an Aussie since 1999 and mummy to an Aussie since 2000 | |
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| NurseJules | Feb 9 2010, 08:15:17 AM Post #2 |
True Blue Mate
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OMG Paula it's finally here!! Congrats on your move over!! Once the nerves have settled I'm sure it will feel like home in no time 
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| TerritorianTori | Feb 9 2010, 10:39:59 AM Post #3 |
Caught between a rock and a crazy place.
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Wow... time sure has flown! All the best with your journey to Oz! 
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 South Texas to the Northern Territory - since 2004 Spiritwalker | Jason | Ethan I'm a huge fan of... Angry Video Game Nerd | The Big Bang Theory | Doctor Who | Pet Shop Boys | Yanks Down Under ~ Americans living in Australia | |
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| SanDiablo | Feb 9 2010, 12:56:05 PM Post #4 |
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True Blue Mate
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Oh dear. Welcome to the emotional roller coaster. Of course you can call both home. I have about 4 places I consider home, and I don't bother to differentiate one from the other when I employ the word home - in my heart I just know the sublte differences betweeen where I am living, where I belong, where I wish I were, and where all my stuff is located! Just a heads up, we have a stack of airline credit we need to use up before August...I am thinking a little weekend getaway in Townsville will brighten up my July Doldrums.... You'll be ok, Paula, and you know it...but knowing it does absolutely nothing to impact the way you feel about it while it is happening. Focus on all the pesky details, and slowly your life will get back into a shape resembling 'your life'. Only more humid... |
| "I'll try anything twice." | |
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| canaussie | Mar 1 2010, 03:33:15 PM Post #5 |
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True Blue Mate
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An update since arriving almost 3 weeks ago..... Dog is in quarantine and is doing well, despite not eating for the first week. I've hired a dog walker and I get photos on a regular basis, nice to see the dog 'happy' and playing! Our daughter (9) started school the Monday after we arrived, she has settled in REALLY well at the school, no complaints, no whinging that she wants to go home or misses her friends etc. She's doing amazing! She was in grade 4 at home, they have put her into grade 5 and even considered grade 6 but we weren't too eager to do that. For the past couple of weeks I have been driving her, today was her first day on the school bus, so I'm a bit nervous :-) Forgot how much it costs to get her ready for school, with the list of things she needed and uniforms...holy schmokes! Hubby started work a week ago (about 10 days after we got here)... his boss at home did alot of networking with big shots in the US and here in OZ and he went for an interview and was offered the job on the spot. More money, company car and fuel paid for...bonus! I'm still looking, have had conversations with recriters for Queensland Health and there are a couple of things I could apply for. I also have a couple of resumes out there, so I'm waiting to see which one comes my way....hopefully one will. We stayed with hubby's niece when we got here but moved into our own place on Friday, nice to be in our own place and have the privacy. Don't have much furniture yet...our stuff is supposed to arrive in Sydney on April 12th....can probably tack on another couple of weeks before it makes it way up the coast to north Queensland. So no washing machine at the moment, pain in the ass! And from the moment our plane landed in Sydney I felt that this was the place where I'm supposed to be. I feel at home here. I'm not feeling homesick, although I do miss family and friends. But this is home - don't know if its easier because I've lived here before so knew what to expect or what it is, but I'm totally comfortable and at ease here. Weather has been warm/hot but also rainy - starting to piss us off because its pretty much rained daily since we got here. Makes it tough to dry clothes. Anyway, no complaints, better than snow  Audra - you and Kevin are welcome to come for a visit in July - just let me make sure I have a bed for ya's to sleep in first lol |
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Paula (dual Canadian/Australian) married to an Aussie since 1999 and mummy to an Aussie since 2000 | |
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| SanDiablo | Mar 1 2010, 07:05:18 PM Post #6 |
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True Blue Mate
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Hey - It is wonderful to hear that you have settled in so easily (save for puppy). And congrats to your husband on landing a job so quickly - that must be a huge relief, and allows you the luxury to be a little more choosy with your job. Look forward to hearing more about your success. And in the meantime, we just won't talk about hockey... |
| "I'll try anything twice." | |
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| shylady | Mar 1 2010, 09:00:09 PM Post #7 |
oldYank
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The hockey was a great game!  Glad it feels like "home" Paula, I knew it would!  |
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"I could’ve turned a different corner, I could’ve gone another place... " ku,'09 | |
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| canaussie | Mar 1 2010, 09:42:44 PM Post #8 |
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True Blue Mate
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  It WAS a great game....think for most Canadians we were having heart attacks As the commercials at home say .... hockey IS Canada's game!
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Paula (dual Canadian/Australian) married to an Aussie since 1999 and mummy to an Aussie since 2000 | |
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| MrsHippo | Mar 1 2010, 10:17:31 PM Post #9 |
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True Blue Mate
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Glad you are settling in. (You and I can talk about hockey all you want!! Woohoo!!)
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Val Dual US / Canadian citizen from Toronto, ON to Sydney, NSW arrived in Oz Dec 2007 457 Visa holder | |
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| suzn | Mar 5 2010, 02:05:28 PM Post #10 |
True Blue Mate
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Hey Paula - Glad to hear you are all settling in well up there. Fingers crossed on a great job opening coming your way soon. |
 Living in Oz since 2002 ~ Temp Residency granted Dec 2004 ~ Perm Residency granted Oct 2006 ~ Dual citizenship official May 2009 | |
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