[Carol]

Oh my goodness.....this is so exciting for me!
I've been in NZ for 8 years now - but still ....long for the company of others in the same position as me.
I have many many kiwi friends - but....they dont always realis just what it means to be living in an adopted country.

I do love it here.
(I'm from Northumberland originally) Doubt I would ever go back......... but I miss my family STILL so badly!

Hoping to make lots of friends on here. And if I can help anyone out who may be thinking of coming to live here - I'm happy to do that.

Carol
:mrgreen:

[Rimbo]

hello Carol, welcome.
You'll find lots of friends here, I'm still stuck in blighty so i don't pose as any help to you but i thought i would be the first to reply to your thread. :D
There's always so much going on in here and for the likes of me wishing to turn a dream into reality, the members are very helpful and informitive. I'm sure you'll find out about BBQ's, Summer Fairs and so on in your region through here as well as other local NZ stuff. In return you can help others by giving your insight to NZ life, experiences etc.
Like this:
Were do you live?
Are you an IT manager?
Give us a job!
:mrgreen: :nice1
Only joking.
You will notice i have not posted many replies or started many new threads, i tend to "Lurk" as one pundit phrased it. But i participate in my own way and gain a whole source of info from here.

Best wishes

John.

[Carol]

:laugh :laugh :laugh :laugh thanks John....


Actually....my husband does work in IT - he is a Database Administrator working in DB2 and SQL..... I've got absolutely no idea what it all means but thought you would probably know.
:laugh :laugh :laugh

If he can help you out with any Q's just let me know.


Carol :nice1

[Diny]

Hi Carol

Welcome to the forum. I'm sure you will be inundated with questions from pundits and lurkers alike (I love that word 'lurk').

Where are you - I don't recognise your location. We'll be heading to Palmerston North as soon as the house sells - well, Ashhurst actually which is about 15km out of PN. My husband is a Manawatu boy born and bred.

Look forward to speaking to you.

Diny

[Rimbo]

Cheers Carol,
Whereabouts are you living?
I have noticed the job market is quite good over there, especiallly if you don't mind where you live and can pick anywhere, which we can. I don't fancy Auckland though, i gain extra points for picking outside. I also realise that I have to come over and arrange interviews otherwise most agencies or employers won't take me seriously.
I am an Infrastructre Support Team Leader (NT & W2k Enviroment Administration & support if you like). I would be interested to hear from your husband if that was OK? :nice1
How is life in general?
We have a very good social life here, lots of freindly neighbors who we go out with or invite round for BBQ's/meals. We maintain contact with family alot so we expect to really miss all that. :(

John.

[Carol]

Hi there - I'm lurking right now!! :nice1 :laugh :laugh


Tawa is a northern suburb of Wellington - about 10 mins drive from the City on a good run.

And yes - if I can help anyone at all with questions I will.
I am a primary school teacher - my husband works in IT.
I have 3 kids - one born here. An experiencve in itself - and certainly a "root planting" one for us.
I know where all the best places are to eat with kids!
I know where all the best clothes bargains are to be had.
um....
I know a LOT of Brits.... and a heck of a lot of lovely kiwis.
I found one of my closest friends here - at the age of 37!! Yes it CAN be done!!!
Just imagine - there may be someone waiting here in NZ for you that will become one of your closest friends.

Isnt that cool?
:nice1
I love NZ - but get down just like everyone else.

and I talk a LOT!
(Did you notice that? ;) :mrgreen: )

Carol

[Carol]

Cheers Carol,
Whereabouts are you living?
I have noticed the job market is quite good over there, especiallly if you don't mind where you live and can pick anywhere, which we can. I don't fancy Auckland though, i gain extra points for picking outside. I also realise that I have to come over and arrange interviews otherwise most agencies or employers won't take me seriously.
I am an Infrastructre Support Team Leader (NT & W2k Enviroment Administration & support if you like). I would be interested to hear from your husband if that was OK? :nice1
How is life in general?
We have a very good social life here, lots of freindly neighbors who we go out with or invite round for BBQ's/meals. We maintain contact with family alot so we expect to really miss all that. :(

John.

No problem at all John - I'll get him on sometime to PM you if that's OK.
Life in general - is great.
I suppose you would expect that after 8 years I hsould be more or less acclimatised - but I do still suffer quite a lot from homesickness. (Just family sickness really - I only have one brother and my mum and dad still in Northumberland - miss them every day! :( )

There are ways and means of meeting people here but yes - you will have to put in a bit of effort.
Social life surrounding bbqs is very common here too.
If you come to Wellington (mainframe land!!) I would be more than happy to show you the ropes.
Will get Kenny (my hubby) to talk to you soon.
He is in bed with flu at the moment.....oh yes you get the flu here just like home!!)

Where abouts in the NW are you? Please dont tell me tarn Hows or I'll have to get all jealous!!
:angel

Carol

[Rimbo]

Not that pretty and idilic, although it is a quiant little village called Wigan. :laugh
Now a dumping ground for social outcasts that have drug related, sexual or criminal problems and all the 4* hotels are fully booked with the latest wave of "runners" that made it through the Channel Tunnel with their 15 siblings in tow.
Now i want to become and immigrant and maybe all this bitterness will go!

Sorry about that, you only asked where i lived! :oops:

Thanks PM would be great when he's better. :nice1


John.

[Carol]

yes - I guess we all remember the best parts of the UK - and still think of it all like that. Rose coloured glasses perhaps.


I have a number of good friends in Barnsley.
I dont think Wigan is too far away from there is it?

They are all really happy!! One in fact has just moved back there from London. She made a on her house in London and so has bought a nice place n Barnsley.


I still prefer NZ though!
:nice1

[Rimbo]

Not too far, just on the other side of the pennines about a hour away.

John.

[Diny]

Interesting t hear about your long suffering homesickness Carol.

I've spent alot of time in NZ and as I mentioned, hubby is a Kiwi, so I have first hand experience of the kind of situation we'll be going into. I have no worries at all about living in NZ. Selling my house here in UK is not bothering me. Throwing out 15 years of accumulated junk is thrilling me to bits (easily entertained). Knowing I will need to 'get out there' and make a social life for myself is an exciting challenge .... in fact everything about moving t NZ is quite honestly being taken in my stride.

BUT ...... and there had to be a BUT ............

The prospect of not being a stones throw away from my family is just about ripping me to bits - at times it's actually a physical pain. And I'm still here in UK !!!!!!!!!! I know that there will be trips back home, weekly phone calls, e-mail and web-cams. I know that family members will be out there to see us for holidays - and yeah - I know that NZ and UK are only a day away from each other, but all of the above are a poor substitute for being able to go and see mum and dad for a cuppa whenever I want, knowing that if I have an emergency they are 5 mins away, and being able to phone my sis and say I'm popping into town - do you fancy coming?

OK OK - I'll stop now before I ruin yet another application of mascara. I guess only having one 'down side' to the whole immigration process isn't bad going is it?

Diny

[Carol]

Palmy and Wellington aren't too far apart Diny.

Maybe we can get together and cry over a latte or two once you get here.

I only EVER buy waterproof mascara these days!
:nice1 :nice1 :nice1

[jesselyn]

hi carol - welcome to the forum. :D

im a lurker and a greeter :oops: .

will be moving to NZ with my officemates :cool . the good news is our client said the job applications are on the way to Manila - woohoo! :clap... oh! not IT tho umm clerical work. hope the envelope will arrive within this week or the next. :hopeso

will certainly miss my mom and my sister's kids :oops:. and also the pc, 6yr old nephew said he wants it :?

jes :angel

ps. bro in law is also looking for a job, can give you the name of the agency in NZ who is helping him... :nice1

[J and R]

welcome Carol :D

I'm aprimary teacher looking for work in NZ but struggling from the Uk.
I'd love to hear your perspective on how different you find the education system and advice re CV would be very welcome

Thanks
jus

[Soon2baKiwi]

:clap Hi Carol. Another talker. Me too. Then again, I am Irish, so it's not much of a surprise :laugh looking forward to hearing more from you.

[Carol]

Have sent you a PM Jus
:D

Carol

[Carol]

:clap Hi Carol. Another talker. Me too. Then again, I am Irish, so it's not much of a surprise :laugh looking forward to hearing more from you.

Hi there....
Waat part of Ireland are you in??

Always fancied a trip to Ireland...but never made it when I lived my previous life!
:oops: :laugh

[blue]

Hi carol and welcome. this is a great forum especially for getting to know others. I am a nurse and have a job offer in Hastings. I am hoping to live at Napier as allways fancied living by the sea. Just have to sell the house. I will be coming to NZ on my own so any social contacts are very welcome. I have three doggy companions that will be coming with me which will cost a small fortune but I think the world of them! My daughter has decided to stay put and is living with her boyfriend and my son is in the forces. My mother wants to stay put as well and I have one brother whom lives in Poland. I havnt been to NZ and dont know anyone there. Mad or what!

[Carol]

Wow Blue! What a brave lady!!!

I know OF one or two people in that area....but no-one personally.
Will put out some feelers if you like and get you some contacts.

Willyou be here for the Mission concert in February?
Apparantly it is a MUST!
(Rod Stewart is on this year..... :nice1 :nice1 :nice1 )

Carol

[blue]

Hi carol thanks I am either brave or crazy! I dont know due to the house not selling yet but I want to be over by december. The tickets apparently have sold out as far as I know are you going? Great if you know of anyone in the area. Thanks for that.

[Diny]

Hi Carol & Blue

Yep - the tickets have sold. My mother in law enquired about them 'cos she knows I'm a big Rod Stewart fan (seen him 7 times - touched him twice).

I wonder if there will be ticket touts like you get over here - I'd risk it.

Blue ...... got the quote from White & Co .... verbal quote of 3400 but when the written one arrived it was 3150. Got Britannia coming tomorrow and then Crown next week - will keep you posted. How's the bites? Feeling better I hope.

Gotta das girls - time to take boys to school.

Diny

[lindajax]

Well Hello Old Kiwi Hand :P (Carol)
Me and Hubby and 4 year old daughter paln to be out there in December so any advice is much much appreciated.

We know no one - no relatives or friends already there we're gonna just go for it!!!! so i'm sure we'll also be looking to make new pals before we get there.

Same as blue I am a nurse going to auckalnd though - house not sold but comin anyway! :eek

Dead excited about coming out CANNOT WAIT :mrgreen:
keep posting anything you think useful

love
linda

[jo b]

Not that pretty and idilic, although it is a quiant little village called Wigan. :laugh
Now a dumping ground for social outcasts that have drug related, sexual or criminal problems and all the 4* hotels are fully booked with the latest wave of "runners" that made it through the Channel Tunnel with their 15 siblings in tow.
Now i want to become and immigrant and maybe all this bitterness will go!

Sorry about that, you only asked where i lived! :oops:

Thanks PM would be great when he's better. :nice1


John.

John,

just 'lurking' :laugh there and spotted you are from Wigan too. I know a number of people who have emigrated from Wigan to NZ this year.

I live in Ashton BTW.



Carol

welcome I am generally a lurker too reason being is like you I talk alot and when I start I can't stop. So it is better to refrain if you know what I mean.

Thats not to say I don't put my penneth worth ;) in now and again.

Cheers

Joanne

[anita]

hi carol

I am a keen fan of this forum,but this is my first posting.
Anyone out there going to Nelson,me and hubby are going out in Jan and don't know a soul.Still waiting for the house to sell it is very slow at the moment

[jo b]

hi carol

I am a keen fan of this forum,but this is my first posting.
Anyone out there going to Nelson,me and hubby are going out in Jan and don't know a soul.Still waiting for the house to sell it is very slow at the moment

Welcome to you too Anita. I know of one poster from Nelson but not sure if it is on this forum.

You will find plenty of help and advise so keep checking in regularly.

Good luck with your move.

Joanne

[jesselyn]

I am a keen fan of this forum,but this is my first posting.


welcome to the forum anita :D

jes :angel

[lindajax]

Hey Rimbo,

I'm originally from Wigan and now live in St Helens ( Wigan with more ugly people than usual!!! :laugh )

Goin to Auckalnd in Dec, noticed jo B said she knew people from Wigan - very small world eh????

Linda

[lindajax]

Me again,

Missed off saying HELLO to Anita :oops: --- Hello and welcome to the forum :P

Linda

[jo b]

Hey Rimbo,

I'm originally from Wigan and now live in St Helens ( Wigan with more ugly people than usual!!! :laugh )

Goin to Auckalnd in Dec, noticed jo B said she knew people from Wigan - very small world eh????

Linda

Linda,

I also live in Wigan my B-i-L lives in Tauranga and is from Wigan. I think we could form a Wigan ex pats club in NZ.

I have also seen many members on other forums from Wigan.
:nice1


Thanks

Joanne

[Diny]

Hey - you Wiganers could maybe start up a 'Northern Soul' night club. The Kiwi's would think you'd gone crazy but heck I'd come !!

Diny

[jo b]

Hey - you Wiganers could maybe start up a 'Northern Soul' night club. The Kiwi's would think you'd gone crazy but heck I'd come !!

Diny

Diny

you're on how did you know I was a big Northern Soul fan. I have dreams of starting up the scene over there.

You just never know.

Cheers

Jo

[bbq]

play some ska beat and I'll bring me lambretta :D

alex

[Diny]

Jo

I love northern soul - that was when dancing really was dancing !!!!

I'd back you all the way.

Diny

[Annierobrigado]

hey diny

i like your bike! you rock,dudette!

;)

annie

[Diny]

Thanks Annie - that was 40th birthday present from Pakeh Boy (although it came 2 years early when I was 38).

A Harley-Davidson Sportster 883.

Just before my 40th I had a tattoo aswell (out of sight).

And I thought it was only the guys who suffered a mid-life crisis.

Makes me sound like an old 'bikers moll' ... promise you I'm not - I just wanted to do something a little 'naughty'.

Diny

[Rimbo]

I've been to a couple of revival Northern Soul nights here but, I'm a few years too young and the Casino had long gone before i remember. It was a makeshift prefab Morrisons from my first memories if you can relate to that Jo and LindaJax.

My wife was around though and she used to get up early on a Sunday morning to go and sit in Cafe outside the Casino, her mum and dad wouldn't let her do the All-nighters so she'd just pretend she had been!
Sad or what?

I'm thinking of starting up a Chippy or a Pie factory and introducing mushy peas to the world!
I can se it now,

Chips, Babiz yed, pey wet un gravey $3 NZ

BARGIAIN :mrgreen:

John

[jo b]

[quote="Rimbo"]I've been to a couple of revival Northern Soul nights here but, I'm a few years too young and the Casino had long gone before i remember. It was a makeshift prefab Morrisons from my first memories if you can relate to that Jo and LindaJax.

My wife was around though and she used to get up early on a Sunday morning to go and sit in Cafe outside the Casino, her mum and dad wouldn't let her do the All-nighters so she'd just pretend she had been!
Sad or what?;

Rimbo,

I too was too young BUT had no choice to love N Soul due to my brother and sister practising all their moves every night in the living room. And might I add I picked a few up too.

Been to many a soul night there is an even bigger scene now with every weekend somewhere to go sadly with 2 kids I don't get much of a chance. And my husband is a punk with 2 left feet so no encouragement or enthusiam there.

Rimbo I'll do the soul gigs and when the nights over I'll send them to your chippy for fish, chips and mushy peas..........(mmmm atkins might have to wait now) :laugh . Diny you open a swimming baths and at the end of the night/morning they can all go for a swim just like they did in Wigan.


Jo

[Diny]

And we can all take a stroll along Wigan Pier ??????

Diny

[jo b]

Oh btw did you know the council compulsary purchased the world renowned Casino. To build new council offices and to this day there is a portakabin there :roll: . Many people think it was because it was getting a reputation for it's drug culture. Can't see them compulsary purchasing all the clubs in Wigan nowadays can you? :mrgreen:


A fact...

The influential American music magazine 'Billboard' officially voted it 'The Best Disco in the World' ahead of New York's 'Studio 54' in 1978.

Well there you have it.

Regards

Jo...............

ps I am full of useless information if anyone wants anymore.

[jo b]

And we can all take a stroll along Wigan Pier ??????

Diny

Diny not too long a stroll or you might be in for a swim.

BTW love your bike. I thought women in a mid life crisis just went for a big bar of chocolate and a piercing :laugh .

Jo

[Soon2baKiwi]

Hi Carol

Been away from the forum for a couple of days 'cos we're getting the house ready for selling. OMG my right hand is like a claw from holding a paint brush and I've got aches in places I didn't even know I had places :? . I'm fit, me. :roll: I'm from Wicklow, not too far away from Ballykissangel if you've seen that BBC programme. 'Garden of Ireland' and all that. It is a lovely place but I don't live there now. :( I live in the most boring part of Ireland, right in the middle. Nothing here only fog, even in the middle of summer. And I do a two hour each way commute every day to Dublin. I'm nearly married to a Kiwi (December) and we're going to Auckland in early 2005. :nice1 I just can't wait to get there.

I read your story in the MY STORY section and felt so inspired (I was trying to think of the right word for a while there and this is the ONE). You've really made a go of it and good on you. I'm really going to look forward to more of your posts.

Cheers.

Norah

[lindajax]

:laugh :laugh :laugh

I've been killin meself at your replies about Wigan.

I remember the Casino - too young to go though - went when it was a morrisons though :eek

Pies, pee wet swimmin in't cut or't dougie.
On my 21st went for a dip in the canal at the Pier in a white outfit --that came out black!!!!

Maximes rock night ??? do any of you remember them- they're still going strong I think
Went to the Wigan pier club in many different guises - pop music, rave music etc best atmosphere cheapest beer!!

Diny - "say thats anice bike" and heres me thinkin everone was sensu=ible and reserved - yeh right!!

Nice to know there are some rock chicks my age about :nice1

Love
Linda x

[Carol]

Hi Carol

Been away from the forum for a couple of days 'cos we're getting the house ready for selling. OMG my right hand is like a claw from holding a paint brush and I've got aches in places I didn't even know I had places :? . I'm fit, me. :roll: I'm from Wicklow, not too far away from Ballykissangel if you've seen that BBC programme. 'Garden of Ireland' and all that. It is a lovely place but I don't live there now. :( I live in the most boring part of Ireland, right in the middle. Nothing here only fog, even in the middle of summer. And I do a two hour each way commute every day to Dublin. I'm nearly married to a Kiwi (December) and we're going to Auckland in early 2005. :nice1 I just can't wait to get there.

I read your story in the MY STORY section and felt so inspired (I was trying to think of the right word for a while there and this is the ONE). You've really made a go of it and good on you. I'm really going to look forward to more of your posts.

Cheers.

Norah


Ooooh!!! I feel famous!! Thanks Norah for sying such nice things..yes I guess we are at the point where we can say we HAVE made a go of it...we said when we first came - We are giving it 3 years love it or loathe it - anything less than that really wouldnt have felt like we were giving it a fair chance.
Well here we are...8 years on.
Our kids are happy - settled - doing well at school - not materialistic in any shape or form - polite - helpful and most of all confident.
I am good - most of the time - often homesick (well - family sick) - growing at a pace I never dreamed of in my teaching career - enjoying my friends I have made here and now planning holidays home.
My hubby was at home here from the day he set foot in NZ.

So - yes I guess you could say we have made a go of it.....

Kenny (hubby) has a lot of relatives in Northern Ireland.......he says some of it has some of the most beautiful places he has ever seen.

ooooh a December wedding!!! Hope you have a nice furry jacket!!
:nice1

Carol

[Soon2baKiwi]

This is a shameful thing to tell BUT I haven't even got around to looking at wedding outfits yet. I'm so focussed on getting out of here that the house is taking precedence over everything. My best friend/witness has been swanning around OZ for the last month and is heading to NZ on Monday for 10 days so when she gets back we'll go shopping. I'm really looking forward to hearing her impressions of NZ although as she doesn't want me to go she could tell me anything :laugh

[Diny]

Jo b

Why wait for a midlife crisis to eat chocolate? Eat it everyday and when the crisis comes you'll be able to handle it with no worries.

Hey Lindajax .....sensible and reserved? Huh that'll be the day.

By the way .... did I mention we have an offer on the house ????? Not what we wanted but they're coming back tomorrow to 'talk and make another offer' .... yee haaa - things are moving.

All the bet.

Diny

[jo b]

Diny,

how did the offer go :hopeso . I think I picked up in another thread it's all systems go :eek .

Quite scary I know. Keep us posted.

Jo