[MB]

How has going through the NZIS process changed things like your sleep, eating, routines, family talks, and how you spend your leisure time? Thought it might be useful, and perhaps a good laugh, to have a quick round-up as we're all going (or have gone) through the same processes.

Anything goes, whether you're phoning each other at work and forcing yourselves comically to talk in code about NZ; having an extra beer of an evening; tip-toeing downstairs at 2am to check your e-mail; polishing off more (or fewer) doughnuts; taking the dog for huge cross-country walks; talking or arguing by the fireplace for hours on end....whatever! As serious or daft as you like! :yes

To get the ball rolling, here are a few things from me. In no particular order:

- as we've said on another thread, finding myself and my wife saying -- with no trace of irony -- things like "I really need a new stapler, but I don't want to buy one for the house here if we're going to get into NZ..." :laugh

- getting -- or imagining -- a couple more aches or pains than normal (toothache, sore throat, etc.) over the winter.

- eating more 'white-bread' food (toasts, cheese, salami, Obsidian Stout, etc.) :P

- me coming down at about 6-7am in the half-light to check our Yahoo! account for posts from our case officer, often finding nothing and steeling myself for another long day and evening before NZIS London wakes up again and goes to work...

That's the idea, anyway.

Cheers,
Matt.

[leslie]

routine drooling...

[mechidna]

Our latest thing was the birthday presents for my daughter. I had to repeatedly tell everyone not to get anything electronic. "If I can't take it, don't buy it". I think they finally got it...nothing electric.

Still waiting on one final interview. I really, really want this job.

Michele

[Danpoll]

I am sure the whole process has made me seceptable to having a stomach ulcer. Has caused more grey hairs, made me tired and gaunt for the last year.

hoping that my car will just last untill we go, do I get a years car inusrance/tax or 10 months/6months, can I arrange a life more than 1 month ahead. If I buy it will it be able to fit in the suitcase. spending my life sitting on the interent looking at new zealand washing machines and gasping at their prices. Having the same questions from evreyone you meet.
being up then down day by day

being stuck in this immigration bubble for a year

I will say never again will I put myself or family through this.

Dan

[jubjub]

Been through the car thing, mine gave up the ghost in Jan a week before we got PR, but I had to have one, so bought the cheapest/nicest one we could afford and got a few funny comments, people thought I would have got something better, of course we could not tell them as we made a decision NO-ONE gets told until we get PR.

Of course it all made sense to them a couple of weeks later!

Other thing was we were sat in the inlaws just after xmas and looking at ads for New Zealand and they were saying how they would love to go, and how come dont you two just move there and we will visit (how we chuckled about that when we got home)

Selling house was a tricky one as well, as I work for the agents and get staff rates, they were very curious as to my reasons for selling, managed to bluff it until we got a job offer for Al, and we had dates to work to.

Sure hubby will have some more stuff to add, he has been more neurotic than me over the whole thing!

[jan]

I get home from work before OH so I get a phone call 'Any post?'

I have stopped my weekly shop and are living out of the cupboards. Boy I have bought some rubbish!!!!!!!

Having major clearouts of drawers, attic, garage etc etc. Thinking now do I keep this or take that, who can have it??????????????????

Daily suggesting the most outrageous items to stuff in the container (gravy granules ) . :laugh :laugh :laugh

Jan xx

[Glenda]

Started clearing out my cupboards too. Found a bread mix today and had to use an empty can of coke to measure the water to mix as I don't want to buy a new measuring jug. :roll: Stopped buying coffee and gravy granules (going to 'cold turkey' in NZ). :laugh Have an awful lot of tins of corned beef, soup and peaches to wade through.

Prematurely packing kids toys and having them cry for them a couple of days later.

Leaving an extra bin bag for the dustmen each week.

Putting on weight through frustration and sitting for hours at the PC. :(

On that rollercoaster - up and down, going round the bend, feeling excited, feeling nauseous ...

:laugh

[kiwidollie]

Watching the New Zealand Coast to Coast DVD repeatedly and sighing ...............ah soon :smile

I did the thing with our daughter's birthday - asking people not to get her large items as we were trying to get rid of stuff not gather more! :uhoh

We got obsessed with watching programmes like House Doctor to get as many tips as possible on how to make your house more appealing! (Sad or what). :oops:

I too have put on lots of weight as I tend to comfort eat when stressed and boy am I stressed!!! :wah

Having forgotten what it's like to live life normally - without feeling in limbo all the time as we don't know when we'll be able to make the move
and so can't plan anything to definite dates etc., :eek

Hubby has told me off because after hearing horror stories about how little heating and insulation you get in a New Zealand house I turned our central heating off in order to toughen everybody up in readiness - he thought that was taking things a bit far and switched it back on :laugh :laugh

Hubby and I talk for hours coming up with endless scenarios of what life might be like for us and the kids in NZ. That's good fun. Also when I go to bed at night I like to imagine a particular day and what that might entail...

You know, the day you leave work, or the day you leave the house for the last time, or the day you actually fly, the day you arrive etc , get it? :smile

[KD17]

We're doing the selling stuff off bit and not buying each other any presents that can't be taken with us.

It's hard selling your stuff as, from my view point, I don't own a house anymore and all I have to show for the past 45 years is material possessions :roll: but then I think of the bigger picture and our exciting future which justifies it all.

I'm also downsizing my car to pay off the car loan and driving around in a "run around" I'm sure some will ask why, but I'm just saying that we want to buy a house and need to get some money together for the deposit, but what I don't say is that the house will be in NZ ;)

We actually don't spend a lot of time talking about it, we're just trying to get things in place for the "big day" I would agree that our life does revolve around what we can & cannot take with us and taking only what we Need to take !! (so that's 4 container loads then !!!!) I think because we don't plan on being there until spring 2006 that we have more of a laid back type attitude just now - I'm sure that will all change when we come to having to find a place to stay and get jobs etc. :?

Keith will have to tell his employers as soon as we've had the telephone interview but I (hopefully) won't tell mine until we get PR as I've just started a new job.

I find that I'm not worried about any company politics at work, in fact we've all just been told there is a pay freeze, some are hopping mad and there's me thinking - oh well, in a years time I'll be outta here anyway !!!

I must admit to thinking about the central heating bit and am trying to turn it down and put on another sweater or pretend it's not cold... :laugh :laugh

The things we do eh?? :roll:


Keith & Debby

[veronica]

I think the biggest effect on me was to totally mess up my sleep pattern. Used to go to bed at a reasonable time and then be awake from about 3 or 4 am, head buzzing with things that I need to do/look into etc. I know that I am not alone in that.

[sarahw]

I actually didn't realise it but I hardly slept through the whole process - when we arrived in NZ we had so many good nights of sleep that we didn't suffer from jet lag very much!

I also noticed that I completely stopped working & spent the whole time on this website :oops: and I'd spent 2 solid days organising our ITA (photocopies, files etc.) had books & maps of NZ on my desk, passports, ITA application, NZIS website on my PC & our CEO arrived from the USA at my desk for a chat - :eek Eeek!!! He picked up one of the books :eek and then started talking about fishing in NZ whilst I smiled & nodded & quickly turned all the papers over on my desk & tried to block his view of the website!!! hee hee!!! :laugh Everyone collapsed laughing after I'd managed to blag it & he'd left the office! Phewy!

[Gran]

FUN THOUGH AYE !!!!!!

[Nicola]

Waking up early in the morning, even at the weekends I am usually up at 6:00. Can not get back to sleep as keep thinking about the move.

Spending too much time on this website and realenz.

Saving loads of money not buying things for the garden. I did not realise that I was spending so much each week on plants etc! :oops:

Giving away to my best friends treasures such as; christmas deccies that I can not take, plants and pots from the garden and wicker baskets.

Packing stuff away ready for the move.

And we still have 5 months to go!!

[Diny]

The major disruption to my sleep pattern has made the biggest impact. Never thought I'd survive on a mere 3 hours a night.

Wandering around the house at all hours - trying to do ANYTHING to while away the sleepless nights.

Having my entire life taken over by the immigration process - hell I must bore the pants of some folks :roll:

Being totally amazed at how much I can actually cram into one of the packing boxes supplied by Britannia.

Grasping the opportunity of doing a complete 'life laundry'. Raised over 250.00 at garage/car boot sales :nice1

Realising that once 99% of belongings are packed how easy it is to actually get by on so little. Hhmmmnnnn .... me thinks we have too much c**p and need to 'life launder' abit more.

Having eldest son invite a chum around for tea and then realising you don't have enough cutlery left. Have you ever tried eaten a full roast chicken dinner using just a vegetable knife :laugh

Having the strangest concoctions for meals in a bid to empty the freezer, and wondering why I ever bought that tin of Asda Bombay Potatoes that's been lurking in the pantry for years.

In these latter weeks - not bothering with make-up 'cos too many high emotions mean I cry it off within a few minutes.

Not being able to talk about things too much with close family & friends because it always ends in tears.

Realising just how lucky I really am to have such wonderful parents and siblings - our leaving is breaking their hearts but they genuinely wish us well ...... now that's a hard one to handle !!!!!!

Getting dreadfully drunk on copious amounts of gin & tonic the night before last on a night out with friends who I won't see again before we leave. Did I really need to show everybody my tattoo (which is in a hidden away place ;) ).

Wondering whether I can justify transporting my collection of used margarine tubs and ice cream cartons from one side of the world to the other.

Realising that underneath his laid back, 'flat liner' attitude, my hubby does actually understand my worries and has displayed more patience than I ever thought possible ......... this one's for you sweetheart .. XXX

The list is endless - moments of extreme sadness, moments of immense happiness, and every conceivable emotion that lies in between.

Realising that there's so many people 'out there' who are going through what we're going through. Ever thankful that we discovered this forum - and actually making friends with a whole new bunch of buddies. The support we give and receive is amazing.

Would I go through it all again??????? Thankfully I don't have to answer that one. I have PR - I feel I can allow just abit of 'resting on laurels'.

For anybody who's about to embark on the immigration roller coaster. Hold on tight - it's going to be one hell of a ride :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

Brilliant thread by the way ...... never cease to be amazed at how many identical situations & emotions we all go through.

Diny

[Dinnaefash]

Most people have said that they've stopped buying things.... I've been the opposite! :eek :roll:

My reasoning is that once we get there we aren't going to have the disposable income that we currently do, so if I think we might need something in the future and I can afford it now, I just buy it. (Small things like umpteen bottles of shower gel, toothpaste etc from CostCo, to extra towels, furniture - might as well fill the container! - etc) :oops: Hey, ho.... :?

[Milliemoo]

Most people have said that they've stopped buying things.... I've been the opposite! :eek :roll:

My reasoning is that once we get there we aren't going to have the disposable income that we currently do, so if I think we might need something in the future and I can afford it now, I just buy it. (Small things like umpteen bottles of shower gel, toothpaste etc from CostCo, to extra towels, furniture - might as well fill the container! - etc) :oops: Hey, ho.... :?

OMG that's so funny....I've just bought 3 bookcases from The Pier to match the 2 we already have because we won't be able to get them out there. I've no idea where I'm going to put them ! LOL They were 30% off though so thats why I got them now.

We're also going to get another cupboard to match the bedroom furniture.

I totally agree with "might as well fill the container" although Frodo may kill me if we suddenly need a 40f rather than a 20f :mrgreen:

Milliemoo :nice1

[Simon & Emily]

I agree with every single thing on this thread, but Diny, you have hit the nail square on the head. It sums up all my feelings exactly, especially the margarine tubs and ice cream cartons :nice1

And I know it's going to get worse if we ever get PR.

Emily

[DrPhred]

The oddest thing is having this secret life. We aren't telling anyone (well, except you guys) until we get PR. so we are making plans, doing research etc, but we can't talk about it with anyone.
Every now and then someone sees me looking at New Zealnd book or web site and asks about it. It's always the same story. We are planning a bid trip. It's not really a lie, is it? We are going on a one way trip...

[eric_amanda]

Hang on tight you guys, you've got a bumpy ride ahead...my support and sympathies are with you all. We are 8 months in now and things are finally settling down.

To those of you who are giving away wicker and plant pots - STOP

We just received our second shipment which we classified as 'dodgy'. It contained plant pots, wicker, garden tools and new furniture and goods from Ikea. It all made it in (after full inspection from MAf) just fine. This included wicker backets from Ikea, wicker laundry basket and all my lovely, lovely plant pots which I am now having lots of fun filling!!!

Please think twice before discarding of these items, you may like me really miss them and they can be costly to replace.

Best wishes to you all....enjoy the ride

Amanda

[Diny]

Jeeze that was close !!!!!

I have got a really lovely huge log basket ....... I know it sounds abit odd to enthuse about such a thing but it really is a cracker. I've been lead to believe that sending it to NZ is a definate no no.

I was going to be giving it away this week :eek Thanks for that info Amanda - I owe you one.

PB and I went to Ikea last Thursday and stocked up on a few essentials............. heck I'm gonna miss that shop :(

Diny

[RoadRunner]

Amanda,
Ditto! Many thanks for that hint!

Have to agree with others that we have been stocking up on a few key things prior to leaving. Hope to get over there and not have to buy too much - well, other than a house and a car! :P

RoadRunner

[MB]

Bringing this to the top to muse out loud about minor ailments. I'm usually pretty rarely ill, neither do I like spending time thinking or talking about it, but we've been in NZ mode since last Fall and since then I've had a succession of colds, asthma, coughing, toothache, etc. My (our) medicals came back fine, and I'm guessing it's just ongoing stress, but it's getting to the stage where I can barely distinguish where one late-night-addled bout of weird allergic asthma started and a niggling cough/cold thing ended! It's all a bit of a kinda over-tired blur. :laugh

Mind you it's been a bit of a winter like that for a lot of people in this area -- strange little viruses -- so that didn't help.

Anyone else been affected in this way? I'm trying to balance the keeping on going with plans and work, on the one hand, with not wanting to ask for trouble by neglecting my 'ealth on the other.

What has helped big time is that -- so far -- all the key parts of the process have gone fine for us. Our NZIS experience was smooth, our house seems to have sold quickly, etc.

And NZ trip starts next week, so I'm focusing on that! :nice1

[jo b]

MB

I was in NZ when this thread was posted, brilliant thread BTW.

I have to admit to many things that people have said they have made me laugh out loud. Especially eating the corned beef, tins of peaches and all the emergency tinned food you buy 'just in case'.

I haven't started the sleeplees nights yet, but I could sleep on a washing line anyway but once the house sells the waking hours will come I am sure.

Suddenly my life doesn't seem so bad anymore whether thats the sunshine or just reality hitting but I know I have to do this if not for myself for my kids. The airport has a departure lounge (quote from Diny).

I am excited and scared all at the same time. I too go daydreaming about the lasts, firsts and then routine life in NZ. It is now up to me to make sure those dreams come true.

Welcome to the loony bin :laugh :laugh

Jo

[nessie]

Diny's post pretty much covers it for us. We are still awaiting interview (next Tuesday) and house sale (not going well to date) and now I just want to get on and pack and get out there.

As to the shopping thing, I have been buying clothes by the truckload as neither of us have jobs to go to so might as well spend the money here. I keep trying to justify it to OH but I think he's resigned himself to it ! :laugh

For the last week I have been waking up at 5a.m. with NZ stuff wizzing round my head and I spend more time o here than anywhere else. I feel like I'm going mad :eek

Anyway, rant over and fingers crossed for next week.

[wayne]

It hasnt changed the way we live at all really apart from chucking out all the clutter that you hoard over the years

[clarabell]

Can relate to many posts on here :mrgreen:

We've only told half of our family (the other half wont take the news so good :? ) so thats a bit tricky...

My car is sooo on it last legs. I will NOT buy another!

Do we buy a new fridge freezer here or over there?

I have develped a new addiction to NZ forums :oops:

How many more times can we watch the Whale Rider/ Billy connollys tour of NZ? Just wait till Coast to Coast arrives from Amazon :mrgreen:

Even though we havent even applied yet, our lives are ruled by 'but what about the move?'...even though its over a year away!

Wouldnt swap it all for the world. Its so exciting! :clap

[jkyamog]

Same here... I am not sure which is harder for me and my wife. The emotional or financial stress. I guess currently its emotional stress, since we are so near (invited for WTR under SMC) and our NZQA is not yet finished.

[Babette & Andy]

Excelent thread Matt :clap somehow missed it the first time around.

Can relate to all posts, and it feels so good to know that what we're going through is 'normal' as we all seem to be going through pretty similar things.

I too have put on lots of weight as I tend to comfort eat when stressed and boy am I stressed!!! ohhh Alison / Glenda I'm so with you on this one . . . . but am refusing to buy bigger jeans - they WILL fit properly again :?

Andy & I can't seem to have any conversations that are away from the NZ topic. Whether it's to do with 'House-Doctoring' type stuff, or far more serious stuff like when will be the best time for him to resign . . .

A lot of things feel like the 'chicken and egg scenario'. Hard to know what to do first.

Sleepless nights . . . :wah I would do anything to return to a fairly normal sleeping pattern. But for months now I've been waking up 4 or 5 times a night. Have tried various herbal remedies, but think my mind is just too active at the moment.

Could go on and on, but would simply end up copying what others have already said :nice1

One thing though - couldn't have gotten as far as we have, or face the next few months without our 'extended forum family and the NW crew' :nice1 :nice1 And when I need some instant encouragement and understanding - Diny is always there for me BIG HUG to you girl :clap :clap

Babette

[Simon & Emily]

I'd like to second all of that Babette - it's just nice to know that you're not the only people going through this. No matter what the problem is, there is always somewhere here to help, and give a few kind words.

Emily

[baboonworld]

We just received our second shipment which we classified as 'dodgy'. It contained plant pots, wicker, garden tools and new furniture and goods from Ikea.

I think we all have to agree that Ikea furniture is classed as "dodgy"!

[baboonworld]

We have told Stu's family in UK (parents only though) but not mine.

My Dad & Brother (NZ)knows we applied and got PR - but until we are DEFINATELY selling up (which I am just waiting for the all clear from hubby) then I am not telling my Mum (NZ).

Dont want to get anyones hopes up in NZ and then not come - or go but not live nearby.

UK family did not take it well - but that is to be expected.

We talk in silences rather than code at work. When we tell our employers it will have to on the same day at the same time as each other as they are across the road from each other and are slightly interconnected - enough for them to tell each other.

Have been getting house valued - but would like more for it - I bet that is a common one!