[peebles16]

Yep it's finally hitting home and I am in panic mode :confused: I think am as organised as I can be this end and have done the usual opened bank account, sent off for IRD numbers, accomodation booked for first couple of weeks, packers coming next week, all documentation copied about 10 times!!

Why am I panicking - well house is a mess after crimbo and new year parties and don't know where to start?? Do I just put aside what's going in cases etc and leave the rest for the packers to sort out? I feel the urge to start filling boxes but seems daft if packers are coming in?? Also getting worried about the things I can't sort from this end like rental property and schools etc..

Also started saying goodbye to folks and that's been much harder than I thought :( I feel I should be excited and full of energy but just feel really worried and a bit bewildered by it all to be honest...

Anyone help or just tell me to shut up and get on with it :roll

Karenx

[holland]

Karen,

Breathe....everything you are going through is completely normal. Firstly, I am a bit of a perfectionist and wanted to get as organised as possible before I left...but the fact is everything is so easy to sort, ie rentals/schools...when you get here. I have found everyone to be extremely helpful so I really wouldn't worry about that.

Regarding packing...I had cases opened on the floor, kept filling them with bits and bobs...the night before the packers came I finalised packing them, zipped them up, got passports...hand luggage and all documents, and took them around to my neighbours house so the packers don't pack them!

The packers will do it all for you, however, I did go through everything so I knew what I was taking, and could clean things and get rid of things that may have cost us money this end, eg, really mucky walking boots and some untreated wooden carvings. I packed chest of drawers with stuff, but not too full, as they cant be that heavy due to H and S of shipping company. I put my clothes in a huge pile and they just loaded them into boxes. I emptied all of my kitchen cupboards washed it all and had it waiting on the floor for them...HOWEVER......when the packers arrived they said I need'nt have done all this, they could have done it...ours we're really helpful.

I know what you mean though about feeling the need to do stuff and sort it out...I found sorting through it and putting it in piles helped me feel like I was doing something!

What you are going through right now will all be worth it when you get here I am sure...I had so many doubts like you and worried about absolutely everything...the packers coming was a huge stress to me..........and it was not stressful at all!!

You will be fine

Jade xx

[peebles16]

Thanks Jade I think breathing would be good :D
Everything so up in the air at the minute I don't know where to begin - cup of coffee I think :)
Karenx

[Helsandfamily]

Cup of coffee....?

Go for something stronger!!!!

I'm sure that you will be fine !!!


Hels

[H & Rick]

Sent off for IRD numbers?!!!!!::no

I knew we would miss something off the list.

Any advice on what to do?

[peebles16]

I think this is the link www.ird.govt.nz/how-to/irdnumbers/

You can do it when you get to NZ too so don't panic I'm doing enough off that already :D

All the best
Karenx

[lockstock]

Panic is good! Wait till you get to the airport!

[Jim&Karen]

we have the packers coming on Friday been all day doing dummy runs with packing the cases we are taking with us. Jim bought a spring balance from ebay so we know we will be within our luggage allowance. saves jumping on and off the bathroom scales.

Karen

[peebles16]

Hey lockstock you'll be on the plane now but enjoy :D
Karen what the heck is a spring balance and more importantly do I need one??
Good luck with the move and hopefully see you in Christchurch :)
Karenx

[nickydwuk]

Jim & Karen - Hope you have a good flight and safe landing. Keep in touch and let us know how things pan out for you - especially at the hospital. Will hopefully see you in September.:D

[Jo Jo]

Karen what the heck is a spring balance and more importantly do I need one??


OMG - you've only got two weeks to go and you haven't got your spring balance yet???? :eek:

LOL, only joking. I think it's one of those weighing things you hold up - v good idea; I wish I'd bought one. Instead I did all sorts of balancing acts with our bathroom scales, and still went over by about 10 kilos... Oops.

Good luck for the next couple of weeks, and good luck and bon voyage to everyone else who is flying soon.

[MaxG]

Don't panic!

Best of luck. I keep having moments of lurching terror, and I haven't even booked a flight yet!

BTW are you enjoying the snow? I got an email from my prospective employer this morning saying, amongst other things, how good the summer has been - at the same moment outside there was a flash of lightning, a roar of thunder and it started to batter down with hail, which soon turned to snow. Spooky.

[Jim&Karen]

Hi Karen a spring balance


http://www.amazon.co.uk/Super-Samson-Spring-Balance-25kg/dp/B000IU3DTW

usefull bit of kit to weigh the luggage

Hope this helps

Will keep in touch Nicky Only hours now and the packers will be here.

Karen

[freja98]

Hi Karen,

Glad to hear I'm not the only one worrying! I know we are organised and have most things sorted but am constantly feeling like I've forgotten something.

We have sorted through most of our stuff for the removal company next week but the kids room has been a challenge; NOO you can't chuck my rock collection or my clippings from the advent calendar, I NEED them!
A lot of negotiating as a result...

My boy who's 3 is not so worried about the shift , he's more looking forward to the plane ride, as is his 5 year old sister. My oldest girl who's 9 is taking the shift the hardest, she's quite weepy and emotional and dreads the idea of wearing a school uniform!

Which areas have you looked at settling in Christchurch? We are currently looking at Merivale and Ilam mainly because we like the look of the schools there and it's close to the uni where we'll both be based, but it's hard to know when you're halfway across the world!

Good luck with your final preparations and would be fun to meet up once we're settled and compare notes.

take care
Angelik

[peebles16]

Hey Angelik
All systems go here with every room covered in stuff with suitcases and recycling bags scattered across the place too!! Our kids are 6 and 3 and plan to tackle their bedrooms when they go back to school and nursery for just one week on Monday - a bit sneaky I know but easier :) Our wee one is not really aware of the move too much I dont think but our eldest son is having a bit of a wobble at the minute. We're just trying to reassure him at the minute and us :D

We've been looking at North Canterbury and quite like the look of Rangiora but no firm decision as yet... Would be good to catch up in CHC when do you arrive?
Best of luck
Karenx

[freja98]

Hi Karen,

We arrive on the 17th since we're stopping for a couple of days in Hong Kong, it just seemed too long a trip to do in one go with 3 kids!

We have arranged for a holiday home rental for 2 weeks after that, I am hoping this will be enough time to suss out the different areas and find a rental. Have to admit I'm a bit worried about that bit since school starts early feb...

On the topic of meeting up, I think I read somewhere about a Christchurch get together in Jan, does anyone know anything about it?

Oh well, OH is complaining about zip lock bags for our toiletries (for the plane) so better go and rescue him!

Take care
Angelik

[benandclare]

Hi Karen,

We arrive on the 17th since we're stopping for a couple of days in Hong Kong, it just seemed too long a trip to do in one go with 3 kids!

We have arranged for a holiday home rental for 2 weeks after that, I am hoping this will be enough time to suss out the different areas and find a rental. Have to admit I'm a bit worried about that bit since school starts early feb...

On the topic of meeting up, I think I read somewhere about a Christchurch get together in Jan, does anyone know anything about it?

Oh well, OH is complaining about zip lock bags for our toiletries (for the plane) so better go and rescue him!



Take care
Angelik

Yes we're planning a meet for the 20th so you'll be here in time :clap

Not 100% sure of venue but think Spencer Park is favourite .

Look forward to seeing you there if you can make it. :cheers

[peebles16]

Hey Angelik
We arrive on 17th too - maybe we'll be on the same plane :D Jealous of your stopover we're coming straight through with only 2 hours in Hong Kong airport and not even sure if we get off the plane??
Karenx

[Gemini]

Hey Angelik
We arrive on 17th too - maybe we'll be on the same plane :D Jealous of your stopover we're coming straight through with only 2 hours in Hong Kong airport and not even sure if we get off the plane??
Karenx


Hiya, we did the straight through with 2 hours in Hong Kong. You do get off the plane (we only had an hour as we were running late) but although its a long journey, you sort of get it over and done with. Hong Kong airport is lovely and there are some great shops :) Good luck with it, I'm sure you'll be fine :nice1

[nickydwuk]

We've been looking at North Canterbury and quite like the look of Rangiora but no firm decision as yet... Karenx

We have been looking at Rangiora too - that seems to tick all our boxes. Probably meet you there - we hope to arrive Aug/Sept.