speckythecky
1st March 2008, 11:07 PM
Yes its been 6 months since we arrived, and hardly been able to get access to computer in that time.
What can I say, Boys have settled really well, just the occasional bout of homesickness, but it never lasts.
Jobs: OH had job when we arrived which she continued in until the start of the Christmas Hols but then gave up to look after the boys over the hols. Since they are back at school she has started to look for work. Has taken CV to all schools across the north shore looking for relieving work but hasn't had a phone call yet. Also applied for a couple of full time roles, just waiting for closing dates. I started work on a 12 month contract in October and have since been offered a promotion with pay rise and permanent contract but have 2 interviews next week. One is for a job over this side of the harbour bridge. Don;t know what either is paying at the moment so don't know what I will be doing in the future.
Houses: moved into a bedsit as a temp measure in October (expecting a month) and are still here. House in UK has sold and we have finally bought. We went to an auction a few weeks ago and the auctioneer messed us about, instead of dropping the hammer he waited while some Koreans tried to work out their Feng Shui price to pay for the house. In the end the price went above what I was willing to offer. Two hours later I went for a second viewing on a house we liked. OH went for a second viewing following day and we put in an offer. It was accepted so we are ready to move in a couple of weeks on my 40th Birthday. cant wait to see our furniture that has been in storage since it arrived in November.
Only disappointing things so far:
we haven't seen as much of the country as I would have liked
working hours are a lot longer than I was used to in UK
traffic on northern motorway into town is slow (20 kms takes me about 50 mins in a morning)
Good things: Lovely beaches
warm weather (if a little wet sometimes)
Have seen england win twice at cricket
have spent much more time outdoors than I would in UK.
Overall, am I happy here? Yes.
Do I want to stay? Yes.
What can I say, Boys have settled really well, just the occasional bout of homesickness, but it never lasts.
Jobs: OH had job when we arrived which she continued in until the start of the Christmas Hols but then gave up to look after the boys over the hols. Since they are back at school she has started to look for work. Has taken CV to all schools across the north shore looking for relieving work but hasn't had a phone call yet. Also applied for a couple of full time roles, just waiting for closing dates. I started work on a 12 month contract in October and have since been offered a promotion with pay rise and permanent contract but have 2 interviews next week. One is for a job over this side of the harbour bridge. Don;t know what either is paying at the moment so don't know what I will be doing in the future.
Houses: moved into a bedsit as a temp measure in October (expecting a month) and are still here. House in UK has sold and we have finally bought. We went to an auction a few weeks ago and the auctioneer messed us about, instead of dropping the hammer he waited while some Koreans tried to work out their Feng Shui price to pay for the house. In the end the price went above what I was willing to offer. Two hours later I went for a second viewing on a house we liked. OH went for a second viewing following day and we put in an offer. It was accepted so we are ready to move in a couple of weeks on my 40th Birthday. cant wait to see our furniture that has been in storage since it arrived in November.
Only disappointing things so far:
we haven't seen as much of the country as I would have liked
working hours are a lot longer than I was used to in UK
traffic on northern motorway into town is slow (20 kms takes me about 50 mins in a morning)
Good things: Lovely beaches
warm weather (if a little wet sometimes)
Have seen england win twice at cricket
have spent much more time outdoors than I would in UK.
Overall, am I happy here? Yes.
Do I want to stay? Yes.