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jocalla
23rd March 2005, 10:43 PM
5 months already :nice1

You all know the housing situation so won't write about that, just want to share with you how we are generally getting on.

After a VERY wobbly start ;) I am finally starting to feel settled.
I must say the main problem from the start has been finances. I have to admit now though, that I have adjusted. Things don't seem as expensive now that I am budgeting, I have found different ways to save on things, whilst STILL having a good time. YES we don't have as much spare cash as what we did in the UK, but that has just made me see how much money I used to waste!!

On the medical situation, you may remember when we first arrived my daughter Caitlin started having fits, after tests it was diagnosed as epilepsy. Well things are looking up there aswell. In my experience the service we have received from the medical profession is faultless :nice1 Caitlin is on medication daily, and after very close work with our doc at the hospital we have found the right dosage and she hasn't had a fit for 6 weeks :hopeso

Caitlin also had a very bad accident at school and broke her 'big' front tooth :? . We went to the hospital and the tooth was removed and she has just been fitted for a plate with a false tooth on it now, poor little thing :( . But again the staff at the hospital were amazing. After everything she has been through she is eager to go to the dentist and see the docs at the hospital, bless her :P

I think now that because of all this going on, aswell as moving to another country and all that goes with it, I was under extreme stress. Now that we have come through the other side the relief is amazing, and I can start looking positively at our future here :cool . I also think I didn't expect it would take me long to adjust, now I know what people mean when they say give it time here ;)

Homesickness creeps up on me now and again, but I am dealing with it as you do. I just accept that I will always miss everyone and this will happen now and again.

And the big news for me is that I am DRIVING :P I know, 5 months it has taken me to build to confidence to drive out of my little safety net (sad I know) but again I am sure this is because of the relief about Caitlin. :nice1

Oh yes, forgot to say
I HAVE MADE SOME FRIENDS :P :P :P :P :P
Thought I was going to be 'billy no mates' forever, but I put myself out there and started making an effort. Gotta say though the person I have really clicked with is a brit, we are just on the same wave length :nice1 Feels like we have been mates for ages :nice1

And the best thing about being here is the KIDS. I just love the lifestyle nz offers them. Again Arron (11) went on a school trip, where they went canoeing, sailing, and loads of other stuff. He loved it, never experienced anything like this before (apart from canoeing in Hagley park ;) ) Again I remember doing all the same stuff being brought up in Oz. Just what I wanted for my kids. He has also taken up his martial arts again and Caitlin started BROWNIES tonight, felt like crying :laugh :laugh :laugh

Joanne

Jo and Andy
23rd March 2005, 10:54 PM
I am so glad things are going better for you and that Caitlin is doing so well.

And well done :clap for getting out their driving, feeling your freedom again and making new friends will help you settle in so much better. I know I have not made the move yet, but it is what I hope will happen for us.

Let us know how you are getting on, it is so good about Caitlin (not the tooth), less stress will allow you to be yourself and relax in your new environment, which you do seem to be enjoying.

Looking forward to hearing more news soon.

Jo

(PS is there a Welsh connection with the name Caitlin)

Babette & Andy
23rd March 2005, 10:56 PM
Good on ya Joanne :nice1 To come out smiling, after the 'trials and tribulations' you guys have gone through shows your strength of character. I'm so chuffed that you've stuck it out. You are an inspiration and source of knowledge for us 'allmost there' forumites. Thanks for honesty in sharing your thougths and experiences :nice1

Caitlin sounds like a great girl, she's sure had it tough these past 5 months, if moving to the other side of the world wasn't enough already. Looks like Arron is enjoying the NZ lifestyle opportunities.

Look forward to finally meeting when we get there. Still aiming for August. Continue to post - but also get some sleep - you're getting as bad as Moorf :cool

Take it easy :cheers .

Babette

ISan
23rd March 2005, 10:59 PM
Jocalla,

That's a great post! Good to hear you're enjoying yourself down there.

Ingrid

Moorf
23rd March 2005, 11:20 PM
Well done mate :nice1 great to see things are finally falling into place for you guys :cheers :cheers :cheers

Yep, I'm still up :P

jocalla
23rd March 2005, 11:26 PM
I thought I would leave the 'sleepless nights' back in the UK ........ no chance ;)

Diny
24th March 2005, 12:35 AM
What a wonderful posting Jo. After hearing that you were feeling so down a few weeks ago, it's great to hear how you've come through and have been left feeling so positive. Your little girl sounds like a trooper. I almost shed a tear at the 'tooth incident'.

Keep the updates coming. I don't usually tell people they are an inspiration to others, but in this case I'll break the habit.

Well done you :nice1

Diny

markkellaway
24th March 2005, 01:41 AM
Jo,

A really uplifting post, well done to you all for sticking it out! :nice1

Thanks,

Mark. :P

Hannah
24th March 2005, 08:37 AM
Hi Jocalla

What a great post - so pleased for you. What a tough little girl!!!!

Hannah

leslie
24th March 2005, 01:19 PM
cool!

jan
24th March 2005, 05:58 PM
Great to hear how you are feeling.

Glad you are feeling better about everything.

must be easier having a `mate` to chat to , especially one who is on your wave length!

Jan xx

wilson182
25th March 2005, 08:37 AM
Great Post

Glad to hear things are going so well now for all of you, especially your daughter. Well done for staying so positive through it all :nice1

I had to chuckle at your comment about your british friend. Erm... I have done exactly the same thing. We met them through hubbys work, they come over in August. Like you say, we seem to be on the same wavelength. Saying that, I have also made some great Kiwi friends. They understand what a big thing that we have done, and have given us some amazing support.

sarahw
25th March 2005, 09:09 AM
Joanne,

Wonderful post - lovely to hear all your news - sounds like things are really settling down for you despite the teething problems. You sound really happy :mrgreen:

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