Marie P
30th November 2006, 03:22 PM
Wow I can't believe that my family and I have been here a year already .I read my old thread from my last weeks in England .
http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=4784&highlight=parker
Where do I start ,we rented this lovely house in a not particular nice area ,but we have had no problems here ,the kids did ok in the local schools but we were able to move them to the schools near our new house and they are making friends and doing well .
"Work " I never worked in the Uk [apart from child minding] but we needed the extra dollars for our new house ,so I looked for a job as a Teacher Aide ,to my amazement got it and loved it .My hours work well as I am able to get the kids to and from school too. Dave is still enjoying his job ,he is the only engineer in his company now ,so his company are treating him well and are sending an engineer up from wellington at christmas so he can finally take some time off [he started work in our second week here and not had a day off yet !]
He got his provisional licence sorted ,then to get his full licence he had to go to an evening class for 10 weeks and sit an exam ,he was able to do both his A and B at the same time ,everyone else on his course had to pass the A before they could start the B course.He had his final exam last week ,waiting for his results now. It has seemed a strange way of doing things but we said if it is needed then just do it .
"The weather" ,it rains alot but to us as never been really cold ,I would go to work and teachers would be in their classrooms in coats and scarves ,wheras I just wore a long sleeve t shirt.
I still get a buzz out of the blue skies here .
"The food ",My kids hate watties sauce ,but there is Heinz ketchup ,everything else we have managed,the crisps are not as good as Walkers ,but we still eat them ;) .The fruit and veg are tastier ,glad the prices are dropping again .
We drink far too much wine ,but if it is on offer at $5 or $6 you have to buy it :cheers Not found an orange squash yet that we all like ,but keep trying .
"Driving" ,I love it in my automatic ,always getting lost but always manage to find my way again .
"The lifestyle " we enjoy finding new beaches and places of interest most weekends ,kids are loving it too ,Joe played in a soccer team and Ellen is loving her Young Mariners group ,off doing lots of exciting and interesting activities. Havn't really got a social life yet ,but had a few girly nights out and one night out with Dave with a work friend of his who had older kids who looked after ours.
"Homesickness" We havn't really suffered at all with this ,we chat a few times a week on the web cams ,have a family forum where we post news and photos ,the family and friends do too. My best friend came out for Aug and we have 7 visitors due over Christmas and new year .Other family and friends have flights booked or are booking soon for next year .I'm sure once the visits are over ,then we may feel a few pangs of homesickness .
"This forum " I still log on every day [a few times a day ] ,lots of you guys are like family too ,I love hearing everyones stories and what stage they are at ,and I love actually meeting you too .
"My new house" As you know we are having a house built ,it has seemed a long time in the coming ,but finally the end is in sight ,I can't believe that I will actually be living there soon ,it is in such a lovely area but 30 minutes away is Auckland ,I just love Auckland there is so much going on ,so many different beaches ,parks and shops .
Another silly thing I like about living here are the Trees ,I just love them ,the palm trees that are everywhere and the birds that chatter all day long .
We agree it a far better lifestyle than we had in the Uk ,and the kids school and out of school life is way way better .
We were lucky to move out here a fair chunk of capital from our house sale ,but we still have to be careful what we spend as I spend far too much at the supermarkets buying named branded stuff like Kelloggs cereal and Batchelors mushy peas.
So all in all we love it here ,hope you enjoy my ramblings !
Marie x
http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=4784&highlight=parker
Where do I start ,we rented this lovely house in a not particular nice area ,but we have had no problems here ,the kids did ok in the local schools but we were able to move them to the schools near our new house and they are making friends and doing well .
"Work " I never worked in the Uk [apart from child minding] but we needed the extra dollars for our new house ,so I looked for a job as a Teacher Aide ,to my amazement got it and loved it .My hours work well as I am able to get the kids to and from school too. Dave is still enjoying his job ,he is the only engineer in his company now ,so his company are treating him well and are sending an engineer up from wellington at christmas so he can finally take some time off [he started work in our second week here and not had a day off yet !]
He got his provisional licence sorted ,then to get his full licence he had to go to an evening class for 10 weeks and sit an exam ,he was able to do both his A and B at the same time ,everyone else on his course had to pass the A before they could start the B course.He had his final exam last week ,waiting for his results now. It has seemed a strange way of doing things but we said if it is needed then just do it .
"The weather" ,it rains alot but to us as never been really cold ,I would go to work and teachers would be in their classrooms in coats and scarves ,wheras I just wore a long sleeve t shirt.
I still get a buzz out of the blue skies here .
"The food ",My kids hate watties sauce ,but there is Heinz ketchup ,everything else we have managed,the crisps are not as good as Walkers ,but we still eat them ;) .The fruit and veg are tastier ,glad the prices are dropping again .
We drink far too much wine ,but if it is on offer at $5 or $6 you have to buy it :cheers Not found an orange squash yet that we all like ,but keep trying .
"Driving" ,I love it in my automatic ,always getting lost but always manage to find my way again .
"The lifestyle " we enjoy finding new beaches and places of interest most weekends ,kids are loving it too ,Joe played in a soccer team and Ellen is loving her Young Mariners group ,off doing lots of exciting and interesting activities. Havn't really got a social life yet ,but had a few girly nights out and one night out with Dave with a work friend of his who had older kids who looked after ours.
"Homesickness" We havn't really suffered at all with this ,we chat a few times a week on the web cams ,have a family forum where we post news and photos ,the family and friends do too. My best friend came out for Aug and we have 7 visitors due over Christmas and new year .Other family and friends have flights booked or are booking soon for next year .I'm sure once the visits are over ,then we may feel a few pangs of homesickness .
"This forum " I still log on every day [a few times a day ] ,lots of you guys are like family too ,I love hearing everyones stories and what stage they are at ,and I love actually meeting you too .
"My new house" As you know we are having a house built ,it has seemed a long time in the coming ,but finally the end is in sight ,I can't believe that I will actually be living there soon ,it is in such a lovely area but 30 minutes away is Auckland ,I just love Auckland there is so much going on ,so many different beaches ,parks and shops .
Another silly thing I like about living here are the Trees ,I just love them ,the palm trees that are everywhere and the birds that chatter all day long .
We agree it a far better lifestyle than we had in the Uk ,and the kids school and out of school life is way way better .
We were lucky to move out here a fair chunk of capital from our house sale ,but we still have to be careful what we spend as I spend far too much at the supermarkets buying named branded stuff like Kelloggs cereal and Batchelors mushy peas.
So all in all we love it here ,hope you enjoy my ramblings !
Marie x