[Chiba]

National holiday here today.

Emailed recruitment agents to remind them that I'll be there on a recce in a week. Sorted out the final details of our accomodation. Got the suitcases out and packed most of our stuff.

Got down to the last two choices for the 6 foot long dining table we'll buy from Ikea (don't ask :roll).

Also played on the slide in the park with my sons. It may not be a specific positive step, but all this tension's got to go somewhere...

[holland]

LesleyS...it will be all worth it in the end!!Try and stay positive, I understand you must be panicky...but think of the new fab life your starting...how exciting!!

Do you ever feel really happy about going?? I think Im concentrating that hard on not having high expectations( so I'm not disappointed), that I never really get very very excitied about the move, I just seem to be very practical...I need to be pumped with some happiness and excitement beans!!!!:D

Today, I have told work aghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.....feels like a huge weight has been lifted!!!

G has contacted NI people...we don't have to do anything apparently, just give them a contact address when we leave and it all just gets transferred. He has spoken to solicitor to jig him up, spoken to the estate agent to give them a kick up the booty!

J xxxx

[Belmont Babes]

I know it's not much but I watched Billy Connolly Tour of NZ AGAIN to brush up on some pronunciation. WANT TO DO PACKING AND BOOKING OF FLIGHTS

[wiki]

ooooooo Wiki:raebanana £200.00 thats fab, I must arrange a car boot sale ive got loads of stuff in the loft!

How are you feeling? Two weeks will fly by!:yes

J xx

Jade I'm feeling VERY impatient. So much is set up over there now. We have a car bought and paid for (my bro-in-law does a bit of wheeling and dealing and got us a great deal), we're staying with my Dad to start with, I have a job and I already know the areas of In'gill we want to live in and we've even managed to get two different Labour Weekend invites.

Our stuff is sent off, the house is nearly empty and I've only got nine days left at work. But we want to go RIGHT NOW.

I've been told patience is a virtue, but I've never been that well behaved :D

[holland]

Gosh Wiki, sound like your completely organised and sorted...just think in 2 weeks you'll be there...Hope it all goes smoothly for you..Have you sold house?

J xx

[holland]

Chased the solicitor and chased the estate agents and chased the solicitor and chased the estate agents!!!!!!!!!!!:mad:

Let my work colleagues all know through email, and couldn't stop crying when people kept wishing me luck!

G has cleaned all work tools


J x

[wiki]

Gosh Wiki, sound like your completely organised and sorted...just think in 2 weeks you'll be there...Hope it all goes smoothly for you..Have you sold house?

J xx

We've been renting so luckily we never had that headache! Once the carpets are cleaned we can roll on out. I hope you get a brighter light at the end of the tunnel very soon.

[LesleyS]

Transferred some sterling into London branch of ASB ready for a favourable interest rate change! :clap

Got an account number for NZ branch which is ready to activate when we get there.

Just had a neighbour in for a cup of tea, who offered to buy 2 beds, and a coffee table off me - throwing in the computer chair and patio furniture as a goodwill gesture - how generous am I? :yes

Dog started course of anti biotics to satisfy shipping regs :nice1

Had a ridiculous offer for my car - 'no way jose' :no

[holland]

oooooooo Lesley....you have been busy!!

I could do with sorting an account out in NZ....

I have shredded soooo much paperwork, felt good!!!!!

Grays driving license has been sent back, we ticked the 'its been defaced and destroyed' category and they want a copy of the license!:(

G bought an internet book thing for £9.00 with loads of info in it, let me know if your interested and ill post link and stuff, its and introductory price for the first 100 sold.

Started stocking up first aid box, bought plasters/antiseptic creams etc...all unopened so I hope the shippers will take them????

Sent pics through email to dad to mess around with so they fit into my 'family frames' for nz!!

J xx

[BkyMonster]

Having a huge yard sale over this weekend. Soon we'll be living like college students with boards on crates for furniture. :laugh

Will make fixing up the inside of the house to sell and moving to an apartment much easier though.
I hope people buy all the stuff!:wah

[holland]

Becky, Im sure they wil buy your stuff!!!!

Well, hubby and I had a conversation at 5.00AM about what we are going to do with our cat, where we are going to live, jobs out there, shipping and jobs we are going to have to do soon....

G had a telephone chat with a company last night seemed to go well...

Probably have more to report at the end of the day!!!!

[Jeni Elise]

aghhhh...thanks wiki, no, that does sound reasonable, think Ive been reading a few horror stories about AirNZ counting hand luggage into the 20kg?? Have you heard of this??

J x
We just flew Air New Zealand. They didn't even touch our carry-on luggage.

[LesleyS]

Sold our bed...yay! booo gotta sleep on the floor for the last few days...
Sold the tumble dryer and coffee table.
Alan has emulsioned the whole apartment to cover any scuff/dirty marks we MAY have left! Way too much attention to detail really!
Gotta call from a dealer about my car - rock bottom offer but may have to go with it in the end - sniff!

[holland]

oooo Lesley...poor you having to sleep on the floor!

Well last night G spoke with XE, and they need some more details sending through, so been to mums and had them scanned and sent them tonight.

Read through shipping stuff tonight, and got a few queries I need to sort out with them on Monday

Spoke to estate agent, and the purchaser has sent all stuff off and was asking about moving dates, so hopefully that will move on

Filled 3 photo frames with family photographs to take, also sorted out a locket for Grays mums Birthday with pics in for her birthday

Oh yes and done a full day at work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

J xx

[holland]

Been to post office and got forms for redirecting mail.

Read through all stuff from letton Percival

Got forms/contact number for setting up a mail box thingy in NZ

Researching hotels in Auckland
J xx

Oh yes and been to the beach for a walk to chill out...hopefully I will be walking on niver beaches in 7 weeks!!!

[peebles16]

God Jade, Lesley and Becki you all sound really organised am dreading that stuff. Am just sorting through all the paperwork to submit with ITA today as finally got police checks through so at least that positive in terms of NZIS.
Karen

[migratory birds]

Have just clicked to purchase tickets for a visit/scouting trip in Nov (with likely move date in Jan 08)...first realtor visited house/market analysis completed last week...rummage sale in a week!

[holland]

ok, today I have written down all the jobs I need to do on post it's, and so far have 27 all over my fridge!!!!!!!!!!! Im sure there are many more I have forgotten.

Been to look at fridges/freezers, microwaves and washing machines tonight, and none floated my boat...tried to see if we could get discount as we were potentially spending so much, and got a resounding 'no'...so looks like i'll be shopping online!

J x

[tigerlily]

Scheduled the shipping container to come in 6 weeks, just a bit of packing to do in the meantime!

[movefromus]

All our major paperwork is done yippee! Husband just got his work visa....it only took about 4 working days as opposed to the 3 weeks that it says on the internet - what a wonderful surprise. Now he's finishing up his resume and starting the job hunt. We're hoping to leave the US in about 7 weeks.
I beginning to gather up stuff for a big garage sale.
Carly

[holland]

Congrats Carly!

We've sold the car today...so we'll have to hire one tomorrow for the next 6 weeks...didnt anticipate it would sell so quickly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Moved on a bit with house sale, arranged moving in date for 5th November
J xx

[holland]

Booked all family into calendar for the last couple of weeks...scary!

[tigerlily]

Posted the house for rent online, hope we get some bites!

[EngiNurse]

Sent off for official transcripts for my university application. Also sent off my fingerprints to the FBI for a background check.

Hopefully the OH's nursing registration comes in the mail today.

[holland]

Car has now gone..hired a car for the next six weeks, G handed his notice in...to be met by abuse and a 'leave now' attitude from his boss...so he did!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

J x

[peebles16]

Wow Jade that's pretty major - what a strange reaction from G's boss. How are you feeling about it?
Karen

[dharder]

G handed his notice in...to be met by abuse and a 'leave now' attitude from his boss...

Was he escorted off the premises? I always wanted to be escorted off, would have made me feel so important...

But seriously, how nasty. Sorry he had to go through that, but does show it was the right thing to do, no?

Daniela

[dharder]

I have done something to get ready for the move: I redirected a magazine subscription. It comes out every two months, so the next issue will be sent to our Auckland address. It felt so strange to give that address, and expect to have mail when we get there...

We didn't get anywhere fast, though, changing my address from a London to the Auckland one, since the representative on the phone kept looking under 'O' for Oackland, New Zealand, and strangely couldn't find it. Of course she didn't tell me that's how she spelt it, so it took us forever to get to the bottom of the problem...

Daniela

[holland]

Hi Karen and Daniela,

He was not escorted off the premises!!!! He left of his own accord after being told he can go now...and he wasnt getting any holiday and his week in hand...yeah yeah yeah...I can feel a fight coming on, and the mood I am in he is going to regret it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[dharder]

I can feel a fight coming on, and the mood I am in he is going to regret it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Go for it! I've always found the DTI webpages to answer most of my questions, and a print out of the relevant pages (where the .gov bit is clearly visible on) on the boss's desk to be most helpful.

There's also ACAS (I think), who have a helpline and have been very helpful when I had issues with my company regarding my redundancy way back then.

Good luck,

Daniela

[holland]

Thanks Daniela...ill have a gander!!

J xx

[holland]

Got IRD numbers, been to solicitors to pick up forms and things for completing on house sale, filled in insurance form ( easy bit) and have just started the inventory..plan to do a lot of clearing out aswell tonight.....Im a woman on a mission!!!

J xx

[holland]

erm....sorted out all CD's checked they are in the right cases and dusted the cases:D , grouped all of my ornaments, taken plants to my mums, shells from honeymoon and other bits and bobs, washed all cushion covers, spoken to doctors x 2 for medical history, booked appointment to see solicitor, started to put white labels on things that are going to family members...

Emptied out welsh dresser of rubbush!!!

think thats it so far...................

[tigerlily]

Sold off the kids outdoor (read very dirty) toys on craigslist! Of course, I've had to give them the money otherwise there would have been tears. Told them I would take them to the bookstore this afternoon to buy something new with all their cash!

Watch out world, I've got two 4-year olds with $20 burning a hole in their pocket!

[tigerlily]

Does anyone else feel that moving a family to NZ is a full time job?

Just scheduled the lawn mower to be cleaned and sharpened.

[EngiNurse]

Got the OH's nursing registration, now preparing all the documents for her work visa.

Contacted all the referees for my MBA application.

Looked at the numbers for renting out our house here instead of selling. Looks somewhat doable.

[holland]

Tigerlilly,

Im only moving myself and hubby and feel like its a full time job, I have 3 weeks left at work....BUT the shippers are coming the day after I finish work, so I have to get really organised, so most of my nights are spent sorting stuff out aghhhhhh

V stressed at the minute

[holland]

ok , after lots of badgering, 'Sold' sign is up on house, we have signed the contracts, spoken to company about insurance got to post next week due to postal strike, got cases out of loft, grouped all ornaments, started collapsing furniture, spoken to doctors re notes, spoke to Tesco re car insurance/no claims, bought fridge freezer and washing machine, car hired....

Just finishing off at work, I leave 2 weeks tomorow

J x

[Mickstim]

Wow Jade. You leave me breathless!

Bxx

[tigerlily]

Got tenants for house!!! Cat rehomed!!! A very good weekend in all.

Scheduled goodbye party for the day after we move out of it (and into a hotel for 3 nights). I think I might be slightly crazy!

[holland]

Yeahhhh Tigerlilly!

When do you leave for NZ?? Where are you heading to??

[peebles16]

Well done Tigerlily - how exciting!!
Enjoy
Karen

[kimifan]

Having woken up at 3am for the past week in a panic about how much I have to do before I head to NZ, yesterday I gave in and made a list. I'm going to do one thing from the list each day, starting small, so...

Last night, I arranged all my important documents together in a file.
Today, I will phone the bank and tidy up the mess I made sorting out all the documents yesterday.

Managed to sleep til 5am today - now that's progress!

[tigerlily]

Thanks Holland and Karen! We are leaving here in a month, then going to visit various members of our families who live scattered all over America until we fly to Wellington on December 30. Now that we have renters, things seem easier- I changed our address on all the utilities, set the end date for them. It was actually a really satisfying thing to do! Of course, my ear feels a bit like cauliflower because I have been on the phone all day long.

[holland]

ooo December the 30th, How exiting!!! It all seems to be falling into place for you!! Jo, when are you going, and where are you heading??

J xx

[kimifan]

I've got a job in Hamilton starting end of November so flying out on the 12th to Auckland - all very exciting!! How about you; you must be heading out around the same time?

[holland]

Hi Jo,
We go on the 16th November...not long now!!! Have you booked flight yet?? Are you alone or going with family??

J x

[tigerlily]

Yeah Jo- a job! Well done!

And Holland- I just noticed you sold your house- congratulations!!!

[holland]

Thanks long time coming but we got there in the end as hopefully,we all will:clap

[Lupin]

What a lovely thread :)

[kimifan]

Yay! Booking flights today!! No visa yet but going to go to London and get work visa in person. I'm going alone...quite scary really but am sure it'll be OK. If many of the people in NZ are as friendly as the people on here, I'll be fine xx

[macuser]

Positive Steps Taken Today.........

I took my exam for my professional registration today. I have to wait 4 weeks for the results........agony.

I'll keep you posted.

Helen

[Dr_Josh]

Hi All:

This is my first post! But, my wife (Tigerlily) has been involved in the community for the past three to four years. Our eta in NZ is January 1, 2008, with the shipping container arriving Nov 15, 2007.

Tigerlily has been diligently packing boxes. I have packed four boxes, while she has packed 10 boxes, but tonight I got our big bookshelf disassembled and flat packed.

Our fake shipping container is beginning to fill up!

- Josh

[holland]

Hi Josh and welcome,

Congrats on sorting the book case!!! Well, yesterday I had a sickness bug so didn't doo anything aghhh, and today I still feel a little fragile...however, I have a schedule i've got to stick to to make sure that we fit in seeing everyone before we go, so I am off to my best buddies in Bolton today and then to my nans in Bolton this afternoon, supposed to be going out for a meal ( think i'll just drink water:no ). Back tomorrow, and Grahams mums visiting...busy busy busy

J xx

[emotony]

Three months ago (less even) we made a decision to live in NZ. Since then we have:

both been offered and accepted jobs in Auckland
sold our house - waiting to exchange
got our ITA - will send that and work visa application on Monday
Leave work on the 9th November
Agreed to start out new jobs on the 26th November
Plan to fly out on the 17th November


Phew! I think I need a rest :)

[tigerlily]

Wow! Talk about being in the fast lane! Well done!

[kimifan]

Emotony, that's pretty similar to my timeline - are you doctors by any chance?

[emotony]

yep - one is a doctor the other works in public health. We're just working out whether we should apply for PR now instead on the work visa. If the PR will take a couple of weeks we could save some money :nice1

[holland]

We have sorted form for redirection of mail for 3 months, spoken to shippers, picked up doctors notes, spoken to estate agents, booked dentist appointments....

[tigerlily]

checking off that list holland!

Yep- today I set up mail forwarding too. It really feels like we are going now, or atleast, that our mail is going to Wellington.

[holland]

ha ha...our mail is going to be mums in the UK for the time being!!!

Not long now, less than 4 weeks, seems to be flying by, I don't know about you???

J xx

[tigerlily]

Yes, whole weeks seem to be disappearing!

[holland]

Got insurance stuff in envelopes ready to post, posting forms off to solicitors and I'm off to work now!

J x

[kimifan]

Last day at work today!

Then got the rest of the week to pack - my dad's coming with a van to move all my stuff back home to my parents' until I decide what to do with it all.

[Andy&Carol]

Positive thing done yesterday - psychometric tests. Not done by me I'm pleased to say, done by Andy as a follow up to a job application - so fingers crossed!

Carol

[holland]

oooooooo fingers crossed Carol, congrats on your last day Jo.

Got home from work and Gray has collapsed kitchen table, coffee tables...its becoming real now.....

aghhh...3 weeks on Friday!!

J xx

[Andy&Carol]

Thankyou Jade, good luck to you too

C x

[EngiNurse]

Immigration medical appt. scheduled.

App to University of Canterbury will be mailed in the morning, as will the Work to Residence visa application for the OH.

[holland]

ok, cleaned everything that can be cleaned in kitchen, dismantled dining room table, coffee tables, laid out all stuff ( kitchen) in piles for packers to sort, we now have a knife, fork and spoon each!!!-saves on washing up!;)

Written a letter to cancel direct debits, will be posted by hand tomorrow

Got plumber to sort out a slight problem:yes

J x

[kimifan]

You sound amazingly organised Holland - it puts me to shame. I did absolutely nothing yesterday.

I have so far packed one box today and had to sit down in tears. Having a low day today - went for drinks for the last time with friends last night; it suddenly all feels very real.

Anyway, enough of my misery - this is supposed to be positive. I'm off to conquer the bedroom packing....

[holland]

Jo,

Hope the bedroom packing is going ok? Its normal you feel sad...sending e hugs xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[cathgates]

We decided that NZ was the place for us about 6 months ago, and we seem to be doing something every day to get there!!! We are currently redecorating the whole house - I moved in with my partner of 6 years about a year ago and were going to do the house gradually!!!

I have either a paint brush, roller or hammer in my hand most of the time, otherwise I am at work, or scouring the internet - how people did it before the internet I'll never know!!:confused:

I have contacted several shippers to get an idea on cost, the house will go on the market in about 4 weeks, then it's the same old story, once we are at completion stage we buy tickets, turn up and get a job!!:)

Todays major step is putting up new wardrobes in the main bedroom.

Cath X

[kimifan]

Thank you holland. Feel much brighter today. The packing is done and everything i own is now in boxes waiting for my dad to come with the van tomorrow. Meanwhile i'm off to spend the night with friends, then moving back to my parents for my last 2weeks!

[Lara Croft]

We've started packing boxes to go into storage, to hopefully make our house more attractive to prospective buyers. Today, I have loaded up 6 boxes of books. I have a passion for WW2 (specifically the home front / Battle of Britain / Blitz) and all my WW2 books are now safely packed. Now I need to start on my 'normal' fiction & non-fiction.. then little'uns.... probably another 6 boxes yet!!! Hubby is convinced I'm opening a library if we ever get to NZ!!!

So now my dining room is full of boxes, and flat-packs waiting to be assembled and filled. Jolly hard work, and this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Off now for a nice long drink,
Jane

[holland]

Hi everyone,

Well, yesterday I attempted to do a full days work whilst waiting for the phone ring as there has been complications with the house sale, we are still not out of the woods and are desperately hoping that it all gets sorted out...basically our purchaser has been refused his 4th remortgage to buy our house, so he is £21,000 short!! He assures us he has the money, and will exchange next week!!! So I didn't do anything positive, just a lot of negative worrying!!

Today, I am packing up the house, I have sooooo much to do.

Ill post later, and hopefully it will all be sorted..yeah right!

J xx