[TJH]

Well it has been about 4.5 months since we were granted PR. We booked our plane tickets soon after and depart on 15 September. When we booked the tickets, I started one of those countdown gadgets you can put on your computer desktop to countdown the days to a certain date.

Since getting our tickets we have been quite busy with getting ready for the big move. Unlike a lot of people on these forums, we do not have a lot of stuff to ship. When we started researching shipping options, it became apparent that it would be cheaper to sell everything we own, and start over in NZ than to ship over what we currently owned. So before we leave we are mailing two large boxes to some kiwi friends of ours, and bringing two pieces of checked luggage a piece (myself and Mrs. TJH) and one carry-on a piece. We are taking the term "starting over in NZ" to a new level!!

We recently completed all of the big items on our "move to NZ" list. These included: host a huge yard sale to sell off nearly all of our worldly possessions, sell one of our vehicles (holding off on the other one until it is a little closer), sell the house, and move over all of our savings and funds from the house sale to our Kiwibank account.

Up until this past week, we had not been really paying attention to that little countdown gadget. Then that number dropped from triple digits into the 90's last week. That coupled with getting all of our big "to do" items done and sitting in a nearly bare house we are renting surrounded by nothing but a few suitcases and boxes really hit home to us that we are going to be moving to NZ in just over 3 months!!!

It is beginning to feel a bit surreal that we are actually going to be able to move now with PR. Especially as I sit here looking at these blue stickers in our passports!! :bluebanana:bluebanana

It probably has something to do with how long we have been trying to make this a reality. We started our journey to move to NZ back in September 2005, when we began to seriously consider moving and trying to get PR. So when we arrive, we will have waited right at 4 years to make this dream a reality. Its been a LONG wait. There were multiple times when we both felt that there was no way that we could ever get PR and that we should just try to make the most of our lives where we were at here in the US. But time and time again we kept getting pulled back in chasing that dream to move to NZ.

It feels pretty surreal now. I can't imagine what it is going to feel like when it is one month, one week, or one day until we board that southbound plane.

[NikT]

You've been on a long journey to get to NZ, and you succeeded.

No worries, she'll be right.:nice1

Nick.:cheers

[JandM]

All good wishes for the rest of the preparations. :nice1:)

[tea drinker]

Glad to hear things are being ticked off your ' to do ' list. :nice1

[Jacqi B]

I know how you feel. I've always wanted tolive in NZ. When I say always, I mean that. Dad lived there for ten years before I was born and I grew up hearing 'when we win the pools we'll buy a farm in New Zealand' and the postman used to bring letters and calendars from NZ quite regularly.

Putting in the EOI and then getting the ITA stuff ready made it real and then I learned to try to be patient while waiting for a CO. We got PR a month ago. We plan to leave in mid October. So now it is real. But all those years of it being 'sometime in the future' is making it difficult to believe we are really going. I think it is more real for our friends and family than it is for us (well me, certainly).

As the house gets cleared it will be more real. I also want to book the flights soon so then it will really be real.

I've got a countdown ticker as weel but it gives the time in months and weeks. where did you find one that gives you days?

[Kalla]

ahh that's such a nice post! I feel exactly the same and can totally relate.

We also started our journey in 2004 right before I fell pregnant with our son and decided to put it off for a few years as things were tough financially and there were medical issues etc but the dream and determination didn't go away and here we are nearly 5 years later with blue stickers in our passports and leaving in less than 7 weeks.

It's fantastic when a dream becomes a reality.

Wish you loads of luck with the rest of your organising and your new life in NZ

[BodaciousBean]

Hey there,

I know exactly how you feel. A lot of the stuff you mentioned in your post, we have already. We have moved our money to NZ, sold one of our cars, kept the other, sold just about everything we own, through yard sales, Craig's List, friends and donated a ton of stuff too.

As soon as those passports show up, we will book our tickets and scoot on out of here. We have been waiting for this for over 2 years, our time has almost arrived! Can't believe it! :D

[lindreth]

Very excited for you Travis!! Best of luck in getting last minute details sorted and staying patient for those last few days!! lindsay

[dusk]

Have fun in the last 90 something days, then have a wonderful life in NZ ;)

[GreenMeansGo]

great post! we're just starting to get an inkling of what you're talking about (sorting and parting with our stuff) and I can just begin imagine what it feels like.
good for you getting it all done and making it happen!
:cheers
claire

[Twig]

Been there, felt that :D

I remember every single minute of the build up to the move and it didn't actually feel 'real' until I buckled my belt on the plane.

Good luck with everything, I hope it goes smooth as :nice1

[dusk]

*nods* the only time I was nervous was waiting to check in - once all 4 over-packed suitcases were labelled up and whisked away I was all lightheaded and excited :D