Hannah
30th June 2006, 08:54 AM
Hi Everyone,
Those who remember me from a couple of months ago will know that I went off line for a bit while I worked my notice at work in NZ and flew back to UK to join my family (who returned a month before me).
Anyway - I returned back at the end of May, returned to my old job, old house and old life, and got on with discussions about where we go from now.
I spent the first few months in New Zealand wondering whether it was the right place for me, indeed we all wondered that (apart from my daughter who was happy to live in a street full of other 7 years olds) but over the months New Zealand grew on me. By the time I left, 7 months later, I really didn't want to go.
We've talked and talked...and sadly my other half doesn't feel the same. He's fallen back into his old life very comfortably and can't imagine heaving us and all our stuff back over to New Zealand....the expense of yet more flights, shipping furniture, finding a house etc. etc. It's something he just can't face. He has friends and hobbies here that he only realised how much he missed when he left the behind.
I on the other hand feel like i've left friends and hobbies behind! I miss people that I only knew for a short time but who touched my life with their kindness and openness. I miss the sea, the sun (although we do have some here at the moment), and the rest of the package. I even miss my old job...despite the long hours and the stress (which I feel I could negotiate my way out of).
So for now we're staying here. OH hasn't ruled out going back in a year or so, but I appreciate his reasons for staying. We always agreed at the beginning that if both of us didn't choose NZ then we would stick with the status quo (NZ). Maybe if we sold our house before we came, maybe things would be different. But i know he wouldn't have come out under those terms.
funny really, because i was the one who didn't want to come to NZ in the first place. I loved the UK, loved my home, my job etc. and now I feel different...I felt more at home in NZ by the time I left.
When i arrived in NZ i thought i would be the one sending a post in 6 mths time saying how glad i was to be back in the UK, how NZ just wasn't for me. I didn't expect to feel like this. I've been back a month and miss New Zealand more each day!!! I've returned to work to a huge NHS wide restructure with its accompanying job insecurity, confusion and a complete decimation of my team since I last worked there...I think that may be contributing to the way i feel as I have no idea what is going on each day that i walk into work. I haven't returned to find that I hate the UK, just that I liked New Plymouth, I liked the people there, and I miss the place like mad.
Still, we'll plod on and see what the future brings. My children have settled back in easily, although my older one (who is 11) has that stressed look on his face again each day he comes home from school! Maybe a long cold winter will sort my other half out! I'm happy with his reasons, I understand why he doesn't want to go back, there's no bad feelings about it. It's just how it is and we know we have residence visas to go back any time in the next 2 years. I worry that the later we leave it to go back the harder it will be for the children (esp my older one) but we'll deal with that when and if it happens.
I'll stick around on the forum though to advise and support those who were like me a year ago - excited, worried, confused, anxious, impatient and every other emotion that comes with taking a leap of faith into the unknown. For anyone wondering whether they are doing the right thing in taking that leap of faith I would say absolutely. I have no regrets, nor does my other half. My chidren have grown in confidence and we have another experience that takes us further in the journey of life. That's priceless and will remain with us all no matter what we do with our returners visa over the next 2 years.
I wish all the very best to those about to take the plunge...I've been wondering about people like Jameelka, Nanny Ogg, Marcia and a few others over recent weeks as it's all happening for you now!!! You guys will be answering the questions like professionals over the next few months!
Better get my sleepless daughter into bed now. Bye for now!...Hannah
Those who remember me from a couple of months ago will know that I went off line for a bit while I worked my notice at work in NZ and flew back to UK to join my family (who returned a month before me).
Anyway - I returned back at the end of May, returned to my old job, old house and old life, and got on with discussions about where we go from now.
I spent the first few months in New Zealand wondering whether it was the right place for me, indeed we all wondered that (apart from my daughter who was happy to live in a street full of other 7 years olds) but over the months New Zealand grew on me. By the time I left, 7 months later, I really didn't want to go.
We've talked and talked...and sadly my other half doesn't feel the same. He's fallen back into his old life very comfortably and can't imagine heaving us and all our stuff back over to New Zealand....the expense of yet more flights, shipping furniture, finding a house etc. etc. It's something he just can't face. He has friends and hobbies here that he only realised how much he missed when he left the behind.
I on the other hand feel like i've left friends and hobbies behind! I miss people that I only knew for a short time but who touched my life with their kindness and openness. I miss the sea, the sun (although we do have some here at the moment), and the rest of the package. I even miss my old job...despite the long hours and the stress (which I feel I could negotiate my way out of).
So for now we're staying here. OH hasn't ruled out going back in a year or so, but I appreciate his reasons for staying. We always agreed at the beginning that if both of us didn't choose NZ then we would stick with the status quo (NZ). Maybe if we sold our house before we came, maybe things would be different. But i know he wouldn't have come out under those terms.
funny really, because i was the one who didn't want to come to NZ in the first place. I loved the UK, loved my home, my job etc. and now I feel different...I felt more at home in NZ by the time I left.
When i arrived in NZ i thought i would be the one sending a post in 6 mths time saying how glad i was to be back in the UK, how NZ just wasn't for me. I didn't expect to feel like this. I've been back a month and miss New Zealand more each day!!! I've returned to work to a huge NHS wide restructure with its accompanying job insecurity, confusion and a complete decimation of my team since I last worked there...I think that may be contributing to the way i feel as I have no idea what is going on each day that i walk into work. I haven't returned to find that I hate the UK, just that I liked New Plymouth, I liked the people there, and I miss the place like mad.
Still, we'll plod on and see what the future brings. My children have settled back in easily, although my older one (who is 11) has that stressed look on his face again each day he comes home from school! Maybe a long cold winter will sort my other half out! I'm happy with his reasons, I understand why he doesn't want to go back, there's no bad feelings about it. It's just how it is and we know we have residence visas to go back any time in the next 2 years. I worry that the later we leave it to go back the harder it will be for the children (esp my older one) but we'll deal with that when and if it happens.
I'll stick around on the forum though to advise and support those who were like me a year ago - excited, worried, confused, anxious, impatient and every other emotion that comes with taking a leap of faith into the unknown. For anyone wondering whether they are doing the right thing in taking that leap of faith I would say absolutely. I have no regrets, nor does my other half. My chidren have grown in confidence and we have another experience that takes us further in the journey of life. That's priceless and will remain with us all no matter what we do with our returners visa over the next 2 years.
I wish all the very best to those about to take the plunge...I've been wondering about people like Jameelka, Nanny Ogg, Marcia and a few others over recent weeks as it's all happening for you now!!! You guys will be answering the questions like professionals over the next few months!
Better get my sleepless daughter into bed now. Bye for now!...Hannah