[skibumwa]

This post is tell you all about a story that derived from my long move from Seattle. I finally got my 30 WTR approved on July 9th. (this year). I got on the plane for the long one-way move to Wellington on July 17th. I arrived in Welly on July 19th tired, cold, wet, and homeless living in a hotel while looking for a home.

After looking around www.Trademe.co.nz and finding a nice place in Island Bay, I secured that place on the morning of July 21st. I was happy indeed. That SAME day I went for a walk down on Welly's sunny but cold waterfront to talk some photos and enjoy the first sunny day at my new home city. I saw a lot of people that day just wandering around. I saw little Asian girl with a camera talking photos near me, so I asked her if she wanted a photo of herself (with her camera) with the Welly CBD as a backdrop. In pretty good English, she said, "Yes please".

So we just hung out talking since she was doing the same activity as me - photography. I was not able to move in until July 23, so I just stayed in the hotel until. We ended up going for a nice walk and then catching a Harry Potter movie at the Courtenay Place cinema. After we got dinner together and talked more. It was fun. Little did we realise that 8 hours had past by since we met! 8 hours! So we traded cel phone #'s and she then soon later got a bus ride home and I walked back to my hotel room. During this day, she told me that she was on a working holiday visa that expired in Mid-October.

We talked again after I moved into my place (2 days later). We met up for dinner and talked some more. It was very nice and i really enjoyed her company. The next week, I bought my scooter and met her downtown. I only got new 50cc scooter and did not think she could fit on the back, BUT she was small enough to fit. The next day we met again after work, but I brought a spare helmet for her. We went for a tour of the city together - fun!

I found her very very appealing but kept reminding myself "John - you just got here so don't be in a rush to get a new girlfriend, besides she's leaving soon". I was fighting that urge really. Anyway, after our 2nd actual date, I planted a nice kiss on her in the middle of Courtenay Place. Her reaction was a surprise. I thought i blew it -- and said to myself, "oh well...". On the contrary, we walked quietly with no words said, (akward really), but then she grabbed my hand, held it hand and smiled.

SInce that day, we get close and spend tons of time together doing everything from hikes, photography and cooking together & more. By the end of August, we were spending most of our free time together as proper BF and GF. We were incredibly close during her last 45 days here. She spend 4 days a week at my place. Anyway, the day she left for Malaysia was sad. Her and I cried together for hours. After she left, I scheduled myself to take some basic Mandarin classes. My GF also teaching me Mandarin now too.

Since her leaving in mid-October, we've been using Skype Video calls for free to talk and see eachother. It's been hard, but seeing eachother's faces, is amazing, but a tease at the same time. After 5 days of being gone, we realised that we were in love with one another. After a lot of long talks over video skype about our the uncertainties, she said she was going to move back to NZ permanently in June 08 to be with me. We even talked about getting married somewhat for 2009. I never thought I'd feel this, but moving to NZ from the USA was a life refreshing change for me, but then meeting my girlfriend only my SECOND day in Wellington was like scoring the lottery after moving to paradise.

I submitted my PR application (ITA) not too long after she left for Malaysia. Once my PR is approved, she will be applying for a 12 month work permit under my PR sponsorship. After the 12 months of her work permit, she can apply for PR under partnership.

Sure we have to go through the NZIS hola hoops, but this has become a miracle of moving to Wellington from the USA and the meeting the girl of my dreams only on my 2nd day living here. The move here was PLANNED, meeting her was not.

I hope to all the single people moving here to better their lives, that this miracle can happen to them too...

;) ;)

I cannot even describe how happy I am now.

-John

[leachio]

Ahhhhhh thats is so sweet, I wish u both all the luck in the world :yes

[JoanneG]

What a wonderful story! :)

Best of luck to you both.

[Chiba]

Cool story John - all the best to the both of you. You gotta be quick on your feet with those Asian girls though, dude! :D

[Jo Jo]

Aaah, how lovely. That's really cheered me up. Best wishes.

[Helsandfamily]

Brilliant - really pleased for you!

[Kerry and David]

What a wondeful story, I wish you all the best for the future:cheers

[jubjub]

Awwww.... don't you just love a good romantic tale! Good luck, hope things all work out for you.

A friend of mine met a girl in an airport, they sat on the same flight for 10 hrs, were married 3 months later! After nearly 10 yrs still together!

Just goes to show that whirlwind romances can work, and last!

[victoria]

Actually quite a few of us old married f*rts love a romantic story too. Rekindles ... uh ... um ... sumfink.
Thanks for making us go all aaaaahh & all the best.

[Bruckner]

What a lovely story. Congrats to you John!

Emily

[Familyofmonkeys]

Just goes to show that you can find love when you least expect it.....congratulations :clap

[peebles16]

Oh bless what a fab love story wishing you all the best :)

[jdbob]

I'm jealous :nice1

[Kiwi-In-Texas]

What a lovely story. Congratulations and all the very best for the future.

[Debbie P.]

Lovely, lovely story, which brought tears to my eyes! Many congratulations - what an amazing fate to be in that place at that time...

[Moorf]

*goosebumps*

[skibumwa]

Hi everyone, thanks for the nice words. I do feel so amazingly happy it's unreal, but with this happiness for her being in life comes sadness and feelings of loneliness without her. I won't see her until May 22nd (2008). :wah. I am going up to Malaysia for 2 weeks for her brother's wedding, to meet her family (large family) and spend each & every second with her. If NZIS works in favour of us, she should be here in June. Even if we talk on the phone and do the video SKype thing, it's still a loooong way away.

Has anyone out there ever had to wait for what seems forever to be reunited with their love? This not like a Wellington to Sydney thing, or else I'd fly over and see her once a month for a long weekend. I have photos of her and I on my desktop at work, 4" x 6" prints of us in my car visor, and 5" x 7" print of us on my desk at home as well as a desktop on my Apple Laptop of her and I. I know everyone tells me just talk (VIDEO SKYPE AND ETC) to her as much as possible, and otherwise keep busy and the time will pass. Ahhhhh gawd! I know know, but what else can I do? :confused: Every morning I wake up realising she's not here makes it worse. :no

I know once she's here. our live will be soo good together, but until then the distance is really hard on me. I seriously need some advice from someone/anyone who has had to go through this agonizing wait to be with the person they love. I cannot afford to take 2 trips there over 7 months, so I am keeping my promise to her to go to her brother's wedding at the end of May 2008. Help me someone please.. :(

[Jo Jo]

Has anyone out there ever had to wait for what seems forever to be reunited with their love?

Yes. Two and a half years ago the love of my life left the UK to go to NZ and South Africa and was away for 9 months, and I wasn't sure if he would ever come back. It was hell (and we ran up a fortune in phone bills!). But we are now married, and living in New Zealand. :)

[Jo Jo]

Sorry, I didn't give you any advice. I kept really, really busy - every minute of every day was filled up - in fact I look back and am amazed at how much I managed to achieve in that time. It really did help pass the time,and gave me a great deal of satisfaction as well. I'd advise you to do and see as much as you can. You will feel sad, because when you do things you'll be wishing you were sharing the experience with your girlfriend, but in a few months' time you'll be able to show her so many things that you have discovered, and take her to places you might not have found if you hadn't been apart.

Best wishes.

[Cindy]

I am asian and my husband is Irish/English/Jewish/Lithuanian/Russian and the one thing that makes me melt into a goo is the effort he takes in learning more about my culture. Whether it be food, language, the proper way of treating elders, the various traditional ceremonies and history behind it and lastly, how he tries hard to please my parents. If you're planning to visit for a wedding, maybe all of the above would be something you can try and fit into your schedule as it helped him win my parents heart as well as seal the deal when he proposed. Even now, ever so often, he'll look straight into my eyes and tell me he's thankful for broadening his senses to such wonderful things. I guess he sometimes try to imagine what it would have been like had he not married me and only eat, see, feel, breathe and love the same things he was brought up and familiar with. It hasn't been easy, especially when he's had food offered that's either smelled or looked strange and out of respect will eat it (what a trooper!). Hope the cultural differences balance out as you both venture into a serious relationship and wish you many more happy surprises in NZ. Please keep posting your story as it rekindled something in me about my hubby...his courage, his patience, his persistance and his openmindedness.

[swissmissdesigner]

Hi John, Welcome in the long -distance dating club!
Remember we where talking about this before and you know that in nothing impossible.
I wish you all the best, I am so happy for you!

[Smiler]

I know once she's here. our live will be soo good together, but until then the distance is really hard on me. I seriously need some advice from someone/anyone who has had to go through this agonizing wait to be with the person they love. I cannot afford to take 2 trips there over 7 months, so I am keeping my promise to her to go to her brother's wedding at the end of May 2008. Help me someone please.. :(

Ohhh loves a love story......... congratulations :clap

Some advice? Write her proper letters, on nice stationery and post them to her. We spent some of our first year or so together with OH working away and I've still got the letters he wrote me on the Eurostar and planes. They make me laugh and cry!

Buy some of those little glittery hearts and things and pour a few in the envelope, then seal it with a big smiley face or heart. You can buy them in the $2 shop in a packet. It's a nice surprise :nice1

[skibumwa]

I am actually really nervous now when it comes to May next year. I am taking Mandarin classes now and attempting to learn more about her culture. Considering I am new to NZ, and have to adapt to NZ culture, I am feeling overwhelmed by this all. I am actually probably going to ask her parents "permission" while there while 'attempting' speak in Mandarin. (eeesh! :exit )

Anyway, it do feel overwhelmed by this entire venture with a relationship with her. It even harder that she's up there in Malaysia now.. :( . We talk on the phone and etc, but it's not the same as seeing her face to face. I am making huge efforts to the point that with full time job, my side business and learning Mandarin I sometimes feel totally exhausted.

Judging by what you are saying, she is extremely appreciative of me and my efforts. Also the fact that I am brave enough to come up there to go to a wedding with 250 Chinese people with me being the only Westerner there!!! :eek: I am going to stand out like sore thumb!

I love her and in June this will all be over as for now it feels that I am adapting her culture and not vice versa. Even when she comes to NZ to be with me permanently, how can she experience my culture (USA) if I am new to this NZ culture myself? Hummmmmm :confused:

I am asian and my husband is Irish/English/Jewish/Lithuanian/Russian and the one thing that makes me melt into a goo is the effort he takes in learning more about my culture. Whether it be food, language, the proper way of treating elders, the various traditional ceremonies and history behind it and lastly, how he tries hard to please my parents. If you're planning to visit for a wedding, maybe all of the above would be something you can try and fit into your schedule as it helped him win my parents heart as well as seal the deal when he proposed. Even now, ever so often, he'll look straight into my eyes and tell me he's thankful for broadening his senses to such wonderful things. I guess he sometimes try to imagine what it would have been like had he not married me and only eat, see, feel, breathe and love the same things he was brought up and familiar with. It hasn't been easy, especially when he's had food offered that's either smelled or looked strange and out of respect will eat it (what a trooper!). Hope the cultural differences balance out as you both venture into a serious relationship and wish you many more happy surprises in NZ. Please keep posting your story as it rekindled something in me about my hubby...his courage, his patience, his persistance and his openmindedness.

[b&k]

Congrats John. Looks like your adventurous move to NZ has been great for you.

[ricktee]

Wonderful love story.

[Gio]

Yes... really great. Hope that everybody will find those kind of emotions in life!

Gio

[Cindy]

Dear skibumwa,

I see that your trip to Malaysia will bring some awkwardness but I feel that overall, they'll be conscientious of your "fish out of water" feelings and make an effort to bring some ease or if you do feel some uneasiness, mostly likely your other half is fully aware and is planning something to increase your comfort level.

The beauty of you both being from another country is you’ll experience the transition together. I feel that learning each other’s culture comes naturally over time. Some things take longer like food ~ have to develop a taste for certain types of asian cuisine. Don’t rush and try to get everything all at once or you’ll miss out on the experience of her excitement of sharing. Have you ever come across someone who’s never seen or tasted something you absolutely feel is amazing? I have and the first thing that pops to mind is the excitement of sharing. Let her guide you and vice versa. Don’t overwhelm yourself and push something that should come naturally. It is good to prepare for meeting with her parents and family but don’t over do and take away the experience of being with someone you care about. Half the fun is learning something new or trying something new. She’ll want to be there to witness your first response to whatever whether it is pleasant or not.

Take lots of deep breathes and know you've made a few people on the forum very jealous. Lucky you.

[skibumwa]

I did not really mean to make any jealous.. I just hope everyone single here can be as lucky as I am with getting here to NZ and meeting the partner of their dreams.

:) John