[dawn]

Specifically, my beloved car. Reality is striking everyday and it seems, everyday, my obsession with our move gets stronger and stronger and the terror gets stronger and stronger too.

Yesterday, I drove my car for the last time and then had to watch as she was driven away, and then I went in the house and cried and cried.

Some of you may know that Chris and I haven't been getting on very well (due to the stresses of the immigration) and yesterday, just after my car had gone, he said "I know you want to go and I know that you're doing it for me, I love you".

And suddenly, the whole world seemed a little brighter, but I had to say to him "Don't ever question whether I want to go, ever again, I just sold my car so we could go." (Yes, recurring obession theme here, my car was just like my other baby!!)

So anyway, she's gone and now I have to drive a Freelander for a month before we pick up our hire car, it's amazing how quick the time is going!!

[MB]

Another honest and interesting post, Dawn. Thanks so much. Sorry that you were upset about your car: sounds like a hard few days.

Also, I do like the level of detail you put into your blog (which reminds me that -- and I do apologize to other bloggers, some of whom have linked to us -- I must link to other ENZers' blogs v.soon, from our own). I very much like the way you do yours: I think it is straight and frank, and probably very useful to folks going through NZ migration, or thinking about doing so. :nice1

All the very best to you, Chris and the family!

[jubjub]

I remember this phase well, its really weird, things gradually disappear from your life bit by bit, and in the end you dont even have a set of keys to your name, and are left standing on the pavement with your suitcases....

Keep your chin up, not long to go now...

[K&CS]

What sort of car was it?

[dawn]

Thanks for you kind comments Matt, I do try :D Hubby is the story teller, I'm far more black and white! His blog is all about his flying and mine is all about emotion!! There's so many things people don't tell you about emigrating and I'm trying to capture that, I haven't gone into details about the emotional strain on my relationship with hubby, but I think everyone can read between the lines to see that it's not been a smooth ride.

I remember this phase well, its really weird, things gradually disappear from your life bit by bit, and in the end you dont even have a set of keys to your name, and are left standing on the pavement with your suitcases....

Keep your chin up, not long to go now...OMG, I don't want to be THERE! I know what you mean, everything is disappearing, TV goes on Tuesday (no big loss though - we haven't turned it on for about 6 months!), all the white goods go on 11th June and the dog goes on 16th June, as do the kids! They're off to see they're dad for the final 3 weeks, then it'll just be me and Chris at home - the peace and quiet will be nice :nice1

What sort of car was it?My beloved car http://70.85.81.229/6579/188/emo/crybaby.gif She's a Mitsubishi FTO, I'm a car enthusiast (read fanatic!!). It would've been my 5 year anniversary of ownership on 6th June. FTO's have a VERY different reputation in NZ than they do in the UK, mostly driven by Hoon's in NZ, so I won't be getting another and besides, I couldn't replace her, just wouldn't be the same.
http://www.flyingkiwis.co.nz/images/fto_41.jpg

[Avalon]

Dawn

{{{HUGS}}}

I nearly cried when someone drove my car away.

[willsken]

Mines going in the paper this week and I can say this is going to be the hardest thing I have done in a long time. I know if you aren't into cars this must seem so mad. I'd always wanted a lovely car...... now shes going. :wah

[StevieD]

Must be a woman thing, getting upset over a car! I don't mean this to be derogatory, but my wife was the same with her little Fiesta, her first car. I don't hold the same emotional attachment to a bit of steel and plastic. Don't get me wrong, I like cars, but they are a conveyance at the end of the day, not a living being :laugh

And I fully understand the strains that this emigration process puts on all of us - it is difficult at times. But chin up, it will sort itself out in the end.

Steve

[willsken]

And I fully understand the strains that this emigration process puts on all of us - it is difficult at times. But chin up, it will sort itself out in the end.

Steve

I am not feeling good today. It's getting to the point where it is starting to hit home and I keep asking myself what the hell we are doing. Don't get me wrong I want to go and I am going, just feeling down... I am going to miss my mum and dad so very much.

But your right Steve it will all sort its self out in the end.

[H & Rick]

I think it is a woman thing, I know when it comes down to it I will be dreading seeing my car being driven away. I have only had my Alfa for six months now, it's suprising how attached you become. It was difficult when I parted with my Scirocco.
http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/galoot/for_sale.htm

I'm sure it went to a good home and is probably being pampered by it's new owner as we speak...you know new air freshner...mats..!! :D

[dawn]

I am not feeling good today. It's getting to the point where it is starting to hit home and I keep asking myself what the hell we are doing. Don't get me wrong I want to go and I am going, just feeling down... I am going to miss my mum and dad so very much.

But your right Steve it will all sort its self out in the end.
Right there with you Nicola, my parents came up on Thursday and left today, it wasn't a pleasant morning and I felt quite teary when they left (I think that's left over from seeing the car go yesterday).

When I got up this morning, I did what I always do, I opened the curtains and looked at my car, except she wasn't there - daft really.

Must be a woman thing, getting upset over a car!
A little bit sexist don't'cha think lol. I don't think it is a woman thing, if you're attached to your car, it'll hurt when it goes, male or female.

Feeling a bit better this evening, been to see the Da Vinci Code, the kids loved it, I wished I hadn't read the book first!

[Lupin]

Can't be a woman thing...doubt I'll bat an eyelid when my battered S reg Skoda finds a new home ;)

The parting/leaving bit is bound to be hard, soon you'll be at the arriving/meeting/exploring bit and that will make up for it :)

[Jenny & Mark]

If we get to watch our car being sold before we leave, then we will be ecstatic. Right now we are praying that it might make it through our last Canadian winter. -30 degrees C is hard on a car in poor condition (or any condition).

[Avalon]

In my case its a "Woman with a convertible bought with the proceeds of a divorce" thing :D

Getting that car meant so much more than 4 wheels and an engine I can tell you. Giving it up was no mean thing - especailly since I have not replaced it with my own car here.

[dawn]

In my case its a "Woman with a convertible bought with the proceeds of a divorce" thing :D

Getting that car meant so much more than 4 wheels and an engine I can tell you. Giving it up was no mean thing - especailly since I have not replaced it with my own car here.
OMG, I did exactly the same thing!! And felt exactly the same way. My car meant freedom to me and I'm not over it yet, hubby is trying to help, trying to cheer me up by saying I can have whatever car I want when we arrive, but Maserati GT200's are VERY expensive in NZ lol

[Carol]

Dawn - believe me - no-one cares one jot what kind of car you drive here.

I used to feel the same about my cars.............
Now - whatever. :nice1

[dawn]

Dawn - believe me - no-one cares one jot what kind of car you drive here.
Unless it's a hoons car! lol Which is why I won't be having another FTO, and I doubt I'll ever feel the same way about another car again, whether or not I move to NZ.

Seriously, we're looking at either a Mitsubishi Diamante or a Honda Civic. I don't really need a car for work, but hubby does and I'd like to get something big enough for us to pile the kids and some luggae in the car and sod off for a weekend here and there.

[Toronto_Kiwi]

I'm the polar opposite regarding my emotions about our car: I hate driving. My husband switched to a stickshift 4 years ago and I still haven't leared to drive it in town. Last week we bought out the lease because it was financially sensible (we've only put 50,000 km on it) even though we're 85% sure that we're leaving for New Zealand this fall. I kind of wish we'd just let the car go... even though we can sell it for more than we paid for it.
If we move to NZ I think I'll take some driving lessons to get used to driving on the left hand side and finally learn to drive stick.

[Trigirl]

The impression I got while I was there was that most people seemed to drive automatics anyway so you may not need to worry about learning to drive a manual?

[Toronto_Kiwi]

The impression I got while I was there was that most people seemed to drive automatics anyway so you may not need to worry about learning to drive a manual?
I wanted to rent a camper van to drive around the South Island when we were there in February and the rental agency couldn't guarantee that we'd get an automatic. I feel semi-incompetent not being able to drive stick with confidence and it seems to be an important skill.
I remember visiting my grandparents in Wellington with my Mom (after my Dad died) and she decided to try to drive their car. It was a disaster: she wasn't comfortable driving stick, wasn't used to driving on the left side and a half-hour later we discovered my grandfather had forgotten to put water in the radiator. Hope I don't get myself stuck like that...