[Bergita]

Hi all
If you don't mind I would like to pour out my angst early this morning so I don't inflict it on my family during the rest of the day!

My OH has a job offer in NZ with a start date early in December. We submitted our WTR visa application as soon as we possibly could, and now it has been at NZIS in Pretoria (SA) since Wednesday last week. Apparently it takes 5 -7 working days to process so we should know either way by next Thursday. Now obviously we will not make the December start date, which is fine, OH's employer said they were flexible with dates as long as they were kept informed. So OH mailed them last Friday to let them know that possibly January was more realistic.... and no response!!! Ok, maybe no-one does anything on Fridays in NZ, and possibly he will get an answer tomorrow (which is actually tonight for us) but still!

The answer will be very important to us, because it will allow us to plan the next month. What we want to do is spend December with family on the other side of the country, and then fly to NZ from there. I'm particularly anxious to do so, as my sister is pregnant with her 3rd child, I haven't even seen her 2nd, and it's been a difficult pregnancy, and I just want to be there to cook for her and look after her kids and kind of ease her thru the last month. But I can't book the flights to her (and OH's family) until we get a response from OH's employer. I can't book the moving company or the flights to NZ until we get a response from NZIS.
And I can't book a place to stay in NZ until I've booked a flight to NZ, etc, etc.

And did I mention that I'm still working, next week is my last week, I have 4 more days of work to go. I've worked there 8 1/2 years, and while I have my disagreements with the company at times, as always, its the people you bond with, and the people you miss. So I'm feeling terrified for my last day, I'm considering sneaking out early so I can avoid any tears and emotional displays... (on my part!)

Then there's the cats. We decided there was no way we could afford to take 2 cats with us, it's very expensive for South Africans, the quarantine period is so long, and we just couldn't do it. So we found a lovely home for both of them (one home for both), these friends of ours actually contacted us and asked if they could have the cats, and they're really good with animals and everything. So last week-end we took the cats to them, so that we can still see their progress for a while before we leave, and on Friday I get a mail saying that one of the cats is missing!

I'm just so emotionally drained right now, by everything, that the smallest inconvenience has me on the verge of tears. If I think about my cats, it pushes me over the edge. If I think about this week coming up, where everything should be decided, and I will leave the only company I've ever worked for, it pushes me over the edge.

Ok, I've poured it all out, and now that its down on paper, it doesn't look as overwhelming as it did cooped up in my mind. Thanks for listening. (Reading) :)

[hammadkkhan]

Understand your frustration.

I recommend waiting till approx. 2 p.m NZ time tonight. If you still do not get anything from them, just pick up the phone and call.

Sometimes, they do not intend delaying a response but it just happens because of all the pre -xmas busy schedules. A phone call here and there would normally wake them up.

[CjChris]

Understand your frustration.

I recommend waiting till approx. 2 p.m NZ time tonight. If you still do not get anything from them, just pick up the phone and call.

Sometimes, they do not intend delaying a response but it just happens because of all the pre -xmas busy schedules. A phone call here and there would normally wake them up.

...But don't call if you are not calm and collected!! :uhoh

Sorry it's feeling like everything is falling in on you!

I'm sure they just didn't read their emails yet. I find that when I email, I sometimes get a response 2-3 days later, sometimes NEVER. So, you either send off another email or you call....since you reeallllly need to know, I think you should call as the above poster said. Give them time to have their morning coffee, though :p

I know it seem like life has turned upside down for you right now, but eventually things DO work out. Think of the positives and try to get through this bumpy part of the ride!;) I hope you get good news soon.

Best of luck!
Christine

[Myrkk]

Huge hugs. From what I've read on these forums it's normal to feel like you do when it is getting so close to the actual move.

Hope it all slots together nicely for you in the last month or so.

[Caroline and Dave]

Hi Bergita,
Regarding the cat, we have had several cats and every time we move a cat will disappear. This has happened at least 6 times and every time the cat has returned. Cats do not like a change and they are trying to find familiar territory and they have disappeared. ( One was gone 3 weeks)We have friends who have had the same with cats but they always return. It is very distressing and worrying at the time and hopefully it will return

Caroline and Dave

[Bergita]

Thanks for the kind words everyone. I'm actually mostly fine, just needed to vent above! We heard from OH's employer, so that's one thing resolved. Yay! Now we need to actually GET the visas. I phoned today, and was told they are going for final assessment. Anyone know what that means??