nat has been a little slacker about his online journal. we really havent even gotten to talk to each other. i will be relieved when I am there with him. He says he goes to work at like 7:30am and does get home till sometimes as late as 6:30pm. I am sure that wears him out, add on the time change and all the adjusting he gets to bed by like 9 or 10. funny though, cause that is alot of sleep for nat!
i am trying to tie up loose ends here at home and making sure that I have everything I may need before I go. I must admit that the more my list grows, the less room I have in my suitcase...time to consolidate, again. I am anxious to get there and help him find a place to live and just be able to make some solid decisions together. I have so much to do here, and yet still more to do there. Especially with school and making sure everything is in order for me to begin on July 20. I may have to come back to the states sometime in June, but that is yet to be determined. Please pray for that unknown situation that GOD will work everything out in HIS infinite plan.
5 days until I leave...and the days keep getting shorter and shorter. On the plus side, I will be going out with some girlies on sunday to endulge in some blue ice cream from kings island. by far my favorite treat that I have not been able to have for nearly 3 years. It will taste phenomenal!! It will be a great adieu.
I have been helping Cheryl finish her to-do list in order to sell the house. funny thing is that the more I mark off the list, the longer the list gets! She is really hoping to be able to sell the house because it is such a burden on her financially, which affects her emotionally, physically and mentally. Use your prayer chains to request that GOD be powerful and faithful in rescuing her. I really think that she may consider moving to AU if she can get out of her strongholds here. I just want her to have that adventure. If not, I think that selling the house is the first step to her life in a new direction that will allow her freedom to live more freely. So AU or US, I just want her to be happy.
Well i am going to get to bed. this time next week I will be having lunch with my hubby in Brisbane!! First thing on the agenda...beach!
love you all --- post some comments so I know you are actually reading!! Otherwise I may feel the need to quit posting!!! =)
Mrs. P
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Days 3, 4, and 5
So the last few days haven't been near as exciting, though I feel I've gotten a lot more comfortable with driving and suburbs of Brisbane.
Friday was pretty relaxing, I did not have anything planned exp to go see 1 house at 3:30 in the afternoon. In the morning I did some shopping and a bit of driving around just to try to get more comfortable not only with driving up also with the surrounding area. At 3:30 i drove out to see the first house on my schedule. I showed up 30 minutes early as i had no idea how long it was going to take to show up and where the house was. Once I got there a did a little walking around and it was a nice location up on a hill will a view of the Brisbane Skyline in the Distance. So at 3:30 i go up the door, didn't see anyone around but never know they could have gotten there while I was walking. No luck, as I'm waiting another person looking at rentals also showed up. They filled me in on how "fun" looking for houses are while we wait, finally at 10 ten 4 I left with no Agent showing up. Come to find out this is normal behavior over here. With so many people looking for rentals/houses and not that many choices around its allows the Realtor to be quite unreliable.
After my first failure in the house hunt decided to go out for a bit of a drive and find something to eat somewhere beside my hotel restaurant. So i drove and drove in the suburbs for the next hour and half with no luck. All i found where Hungry Jacks (Burger Kings) and McDonald's. Come to find out later that there aren't many places out around here and have to go to the city to find them or there just aren't many like in the states on every corner.. So with my second failure of the day i ended up back the hotel restaurant at $50 a plate. I've vowed that this is my last time eating there as its just WAY to expensive. I'll be broke before Chrissi gets here.
Saturday, I woke up early again. Been getting tired around 8:30 most nights and I'm up between 4 and 5 most mornings. After looking online at houses again I decided I wanted to go driving even though I don't have any inspections times, just to see the houses to see if they are even worth getting a Realtor for inspections. I got to about 5 and then my GPS battery died so had to return back to the hotel. Just a note the houses i did get a chance to drive by I liked every single one of them, they are in great locations and look like decent houses from the outside.
I got a little date time with Chrissi on Video chat, though she was about falling asleep on me, it was great to see her and get a chance to talk to her, we might not be able too again until next weekend because now my work week starts.
At 4 PM on Saturday, John and his wife picked me up for the Barbie being put on by Johns boss Ian. there where about 10 people at the cookout including wife's/husbands of some of my future co-workers. It was a great night of drinking beer, eating fantastic food, and just great conversation. I was home sometime after 11. I'm really looking forward to going to work on Monday. I've been pretty lucky to once again fall in with some really great people to work with/for. But not it was time for bed and tomorrow was going to be a long day of driving around looking at 30 houses that I had selected to take a look at before calling up the Realtor.
So I woke up Sunday got to catch the Cardinals beat up on the Cubbies - boy that Albert Pujols guy is something else. I was then out the door with my computer, GPS, and a list of 30 houses to track down. The next 8 hours where spend driving and driving and driving. The more I drive the more comfortable I get. And after it was all said and done i got my list of 30 down to 12 potential houses to take a look at. So I'm excited about some of the houses - just hope they are available soon so can feel like i'm really over here and not just in a hotel room.
Tomorrow is a big day. First day in the office and I'm really excited. 10 more days and Chrissi is here which is even more exciting as then I'll get to share all of this with her.
Till next time.
Friday was pretty relaxing, I did not have anything planned exp to go see 1 house at 3:30 in the afternoon. In the morning I did some shopping and a bit of driving around just to try to get more comfortable not only with driving up also with the surrounding area. At 3:30 i drove out to see the first house on my schedule. I showed up 30 minutes early as i had no idea how long it was going to take to show up and where the house was. Once I got there a did a little walking around and it was a nice location up on a hill will a view of the Brisbane Skyline in the Distance. So at 3:30 i go up the door, didn't see anyone around but never know they could have gotten there while I was walking. No luck, as I'm waiting another person looking at rentals also showed up. They filled me in on how "fun" looking for houses are while we wait, finally at 10 ten 4 I left with no Agent showing up. Come to find out this is normal behavior over here. With so many people looking for rentals/houses and not that many choices around its allows the Realtor to be quite unreliable.
After my first failure in the house hunt decided to go out for a bit of a drive and find something to eat somewhere beside my hotel restaurant. So i drove and drove in the suburbs for the next hour and half with no luck. All i found where Hungry Jacks (Burger Kings) and McDonald's. Come to find out later that there aren't many places out around here and have to go to the city to find them or there just aren't many like in the states on every corner.. So with my second failure of the day i ended up back the hotel restaurant at $50 a plate. I've vowed that this is my last time eating there as its just WAY to expensive. I'll be broke before Chrissi gets here.
Saturday, I woke up early again. Been getting tired around 8:30 most nights and I'm up between 4 and 5 most mornings. After looking online at houses again I decided I wanted to go driving even though I don't have any inspections times, just to see the houses to see if they are even worth getting a Realtor for inspections. I got to about 5 and then my GPS battery died so had to return back to the hotel. Just a note the houses i did get a chance to drive by I liked every single one of them, they are in great locations and look like decent houses from the outside.
I got a little date time with Chrissi on Video chat, though she was about falling asleep on me, it was great to see her and get a chance to talk to her, we might not be able too again until next weekend because now my work week starts.
At 4 PM on Saturday, John and his wife picked me up for the Barbie being put on by Johns boss Ian. there where about 10 people at the cookout including wife's/husbands of some of my future co-workers. It was a great night of drinking beer, eating fantastic food, and just great conversation. I was home sometime after 11. I'm really looking forward to going to work on Monday. I've been pretty lucky to once again fall in with some really great people to work with/for. But not it was time for bed and tomorrow was going to be a long day of driving around looking at 30 houses that I had selected to take a look at before calling up the Realtor.
So I woke up Sunday got to catch the Cardinals beat up on the Cubbies - boy that Albert Pujols guy is something else. I was then out the door with my computer, GPS, and a list of 30 houses to track down. The next 8 hours where spend driving and driving and driving. The more I drive the more comfortable I get. And after it was all said and done i got my list of 30 down to 12 potential houses to take a look at. So I'm excited about some of the houses - just hope they are available soon so can feel like i'm really over here and not just in a hotel room.
Tomorrow is a big day. First day in the office and I'm really excited. 10 more days and Chrissi is here which is even more exciting as then I'll get to share all of this with her.
Till next time.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Day 2 - Lets Go Shopping
So let me start off by saying they do things quite a bit different over here. In the states if you want to rent/buy a house, you drive around looking for for sale/rent signs. Maybe get online to get an idea of what is out there. Here they don't do the sign thing at all. If you want to find a house you need to go online and look at what is available, or go to each individual real estate office to get their rental lists. Now your thinking OK, I will just go to the main office and get all of there listings, or maybe talk to an agent and they can help me with all listings, even those for other agents - like in the states. Here they do not do that.
If you want to look at whats available in city A - you need to go to city A's real estate office and get there listings and they only know about city A and the listings with their company.
So once you have either driven around to all the offices or tried to look online at there listings, you can then start application process, but wait no you can't. In Australia they have a law that you have to physically view a house before you can even start an application process, OK that makes sense why won't i want to look at a house before i rent it. But, and there is always a but, you can't just call up the agent and say take me to these lists of houses so i can look at them. You call up the agent and they tell you (have all told me) there are no viewings scheduled, but they will phone me when some our scheduled. From what i understand of the process, viewings are like 15 minutes at a time at a house, and there might be 10-20 people there looking at a specific property. then you have to put in an offer/application with anyone else that might want it and if your lucky you might get a house.
So I went into this thinking great i'll be able to drive around check out some houses, look at a bunch before Chrissi gets here, and ended up instead being Chrissi and I looking at houses over Skype video chat trying to set up some viewing times to look at houses.
Houses viewed = 0
Houses scheduled to viewed = 1
Houses waiting call back from Realtor = 15
So I kinda jumped ahead of myself a little bit. My day started off with John picking me up and taking me to the car rental company to pick up my car. I take my time getting int he car so John can take off, i don't need any added pressure of him following me or watching me screw up! I drive out of the parking lot and right away I screw up pulling out of the parking lot on the right side instead of the left. But that was really the extend of my troubles, Once you are driving on the other side of the road and also driving on the other side of the car it becomes a bit easier. Though i will tell you i went to the right side of the car at least 5 times when going to the drive away. I felt a bit foolish opening the passenger door, closing it and walking around to the other side. Also, once in the car and reaching for the seat belt on my left shoulder, when its on my right shoulder instead. The Mirrors are also ALL in the wrong place, its just going to take some time to get use to where i am in the car.
After my failure at house shopping i decided to go to the "mile" and try to see about a car. This was just like any other car lot experience. Though I will say my experiences there where a lot easier. I found a couple of potentials, though they move inventory so fast(so they say) that the cars I liked yesterday might not be there tomorrow. But at least I was able to drive around a bit and get a better feel for the land.
Tomorrow is another day.
NAT
If you want to look at whats available in city A - you need to go to city A's real estate office and get there listings and they only know about city A and the listings with their company.
So once you have either driven around to all the offices or tried to look online at there listings, you can then start application process, but wait no you can't. In Australia they have a law that you have to physically view a house before you can even start an application process, OK that makes sense why won't i want to look at a house before i rent it. But, and there is always a but, you can't just call up the agent and say take me to these lists of houses so i can look at them. You call up the agent and they tell you (have all told me) there are no viewings scheduled, but they will phone me when some our scheduled. From what i understand of the process, viewings are like 15 minutes at a time at a house, and there might be 10-20 people there looking at a specific property. then you have to put in an offer/application with anyone else that might want it and if your lucky you might get a house.
So I went into this thinking great i'll be able to drive around check out some houses, look at a bunch before Chrissi gets here, and ended up instead being Chrissi and I looking at houses over Skype video chat trying to set up some viewing times to look at houses.
Houses viewed = 0
Houses scheduled to viewed = 1
Houses waiting call back from Realtor = 15
So I kinda jumped ahead of myself a little bit. My day started off with John picking me up and taking me to the car rental company to pick up my car. I take my time getting int he car so John can take off, i don't need any added pressure of him following me or watching me screw up! I drive out of the parking lot and right away I screw up pulling out of the parking lot on the right side instead of the left. But that was really the extend of my troubles, Once you are driving on the other side of the road and also driving on the other side of the car it becomes a bit easier. Though i will tell you i went to the right side of the car at least 5 times when going to the drive away. I felt a bit foolish opening the passenger door, closing it and walking around to the other side. Also, once in the car and reaching for the seat belt on my left shoulder, when its on my right shoulder instead. The Mirrors are also ALL in the wrong place, its just going to take some time to get use to where i am in the car.
After my failure at house shopping i decided to go to the "mile" and try to see about a car. This was just like any other car lot experience. Though I will say my experiences there where a lot easier. I found a couple of potentials, though they move inventory so fast(so they say) that the cars I liked yesterday might not be there tomorrow. But at least I was able to drive around a bit and get a better feel for the land.
Tomorrow is another day.
NAT
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Pics of Brisbane
Also some driving pics, these aren't to great, but I was shocked how green it is plus all the trees make me happy.
Nat's First Day
Day 1 - and No i am not doing this every day!
So I arrived on Monday at ORD at 1PM for my 4:30 flight. Didn't expect to get there in under 3 hours from my moms so my long day started out to be a bit longer. Not much excitment on the first leg from ORD to LAX other then the first book i had with me got finished.
Arrived at LAX and went directly to the Air New Zealand counter to find out how much it would cost to upgrade my seat from the Cattle yard.
So for $300 extra i could get a lazy boy seat in there Premium Economy area. With little hesitation I took it. My lay over was only about an hour so no sooner did I get in the terminal and i was heading twords my seat. So i get on the plane show my ticket to the flight attendant and he says - oh you know where your going, upstairs. I was like what? and he points upstairs. Really only one word can explain the next 15 hours of my trip - AWESOMENESS! Free movies, free beer, fantastic food, and no one sitting next to me. It was worth every penny to upgrade. I was able to extend out the time i was awake and sleep soundly during Australia night time.
My lay over in Auckland was very minimal and the flight from Auckland to Brisbane was also very uneventful.
I arrived in Brisbane at 7:30AM Brisbane time on Wednesday the 22nd. Everything is smooth sailing until I'm sitting there waiting for my luggage and I see a sniffing dog making its trek around the facility. (checking for quarantine items etc) Long story short the dog smelled something in my bag, and I about had a heart attack. Chrissi had bought some beef jerky for me for the trip and I had it in my carry on bag. I had just thrown it away, as I wasn't allowed to carry it through customs. Luckily for me I had nothing left in my carry on and by 8:15 i had my bags and was sitting in the Car with John my new boss heading out of Brisbane.
John took me around Brisbane a bit to get a feel for the city, plus ran me on a few errands that I needed to get done today. Set up a bank account - which ended up being a huge hassle, but at least it is done now. Then into the office to get some paper work started and to meet some of my new co-workers. this took until about 2pm when Johns boss dropped me off at the mall.
At the mall i was on a hunt for a cell phone company. The next 3 hours where a total nightmare. 2 of the company's won't even talk to me until i had been in Australia for at least a month. a 3rd company wanted to charge me $900 for a pay as you go phone. Finally I got to the last company who most have felt some pity for me because they somehow made it all work out. I felt having a phone was very important to have with all of the house/car searching i would be doing over the next few weeks. I'm very grateful that it all fell into place.
I got back to my hotel/suite around 5 took a shower and wanted nothing else but to fall asleep, but my day was not over yet. John picked me up around 5:30 to take me to his house for dinner. His plan was to try to keep me up as long as possible to help me get on Brisbane time. I had a lovely dinner with John and his family, they are incredibly nice people, he is going to make working here that much easier. One note about John, he is Gethro Gibbs from NCIS. He has about a 20 foot sail boat in his back yard that he built from Scratch. the craftsman ship was truly amazing.
I got back to my hotel room around 8 and was asleep at 8:05 I was pretty much the walking dead the last couple hours. I awoke this morning around 6 feeling pretty refreshed, thought i know today is going to be another exciting day. I will get my first driving experience and the hunting for houses begins. Wish me luck!
So I arrived on Monday at ORD at 1PM for my 4:30 flight. Didn't expect to get there in under 3 hours from my moms so my long day started out to be a bit longer. Not much excitment on the first leg from ORD to LAX other then the first book i had with me got finished.
Arrived at LAX and went directly to the Air New Zealand counter to find out how much it would cost to upgrade my seat from the Cattle yard.
So for $300 extra i could get a lazy boy seat in there Premium Economy area. With little hesitation I took it. My lay over was only about an hour so no sooner did I get in the terminal and i was heading twords my seat. So i get on the plane show my ticket to the flight attendant and he says - oh you know where your going, upstairs. I was like what? and he points upstairs. Really only one word can explain the next 15 hours of my trip - AWESOMENESS! Free movies, free beer, fantastic food, and no one sitting next to me. It was worth every penny to upgrade. I was able to extend out the time i was awake and sleep soundly during Australia night time.
My lay over in Auckland was very minimal and the flight from Auckland to Brisbane was also very uneventful.
I arrived in Brisbane at 7:30AM Brisbane time on Wednesday the 22nd. Everything is smooth sailing until I'm sitting there waiting for my luggage and I see a sniffing dog making its trek around the facility. (checking for quarantine items etc) Long story short the dog smelled something in my bag, and I about had a heart attack. Chrissi had bought some beef jerky for me for the trip and I had it in my carry on bag. I had just thrown it away, as I wasn't allowed to carry it through customs. Luckily for me I had nothing left in my carry on and by 8:15 i had my bags and was sitting in the Car with John my new boss heading out of Brisbane.
John took me around Brisbane a bit to get a feel for the city, plus ran me on a few errands that I needed to get done today. Set up a bank account - which ended up being a huge hassle, but at least it is done now. Then into the office to get some paper work started and to meet some of my new co-workers. this took until about 2pm when Johns boss dropped me off at the mall.
At the mall i was on a hunt for a cell phone company. The next 3 hours where a total nightmare. 2 of the company's won't even talk to me until i had been in Australia for at least a month. a 3rd company wanted to charge me $900 for a pay as you go phone. Finally I got to the last company who most have felt some pity for me because they somehow made it all work out. I felt having a phone was very important to have with all of the house/car searching i would be doing over the next few weeks. I'm very grateful that it all fell into place.
I got back to my hotel/suite around 5 took a shower and wanted nothing else but to fall asleep, but my day was not over yet. John picked me up around 5:30 to take me to his house for dinner. His plan was to try to keep me up as long as possible to help me get on Brisbane time. I had a lovely dinner with John and his family, they are incredibly nice people, he is going to make working here that much easier. One note about John, he is Gethro Gibbs from NCIS. He has about a 20 foot sail boat in his back yard that he built from Scratch. the craftsman ship was truly amazing.
I got back to my hotel room around 8 and was asleep at 8:05 I was pretty much the walking dead the last couple hours. I awoke this morning around 6 feeling pretty refreshed, thought i know today is going to be another exciting day. I will get my first driving experience and the hunting for houses begins. Wish me luck!
Nat Arrived
Just wanted everyone to know that Nat arrived safely in Brisbane. Brisbane is 13 hours ahead of Illinois time, so it is currently around 12:30am on Thursday there. His new phone number is (with country code) 011-61-4-1626-5280.
It costs too much to text internationally but his email at flednat@gmail.com is active if you want to drop him a line.
Mrs. P
It costs too much to text internationally but his email at flednat@gmail.com is active if you want to drop him a line.
Mrs. P
Monday, April 20, 2009
Reality setting in...
Last week was so much fun! It was so nice to really spend time with people. Although it was a bit hectic, I was actually really bummed to go home. I have a lot of projects here that I need to attend to before I move across the world. I was also left with a 2 page list of things to do before I leave!! Somehow Nat planned that perfectly. Its not too bad, I got the majority of what I could get done finished today.
The reality of the move is starting to set in, especially with Nat in the air. It is definately a different kind of longing when you know you cant just pick up the phoneto get a hold of someone. How did the world survive without cell phones?? He was starting to get more nervous today so I think it is finally sinking in for him. I sorta wish I could have gone with him, but I think it was best for me to stay to make sure everything was good to go. So I officially have 13 days till I get on a plane. I got word from Queensland University of Technology that I was accepted into their nursing program. It is very much like the one I was going to go to here where I recieve my Bachelors degree in a 2-year program. So once I land, I will need to find a place to live, scope out the school and get registered for classes that start on JULY 20!! So my dream of sitting on the beach all day will be merely a pipe dream, and I will have to hit the books HARD, because I dont remember the last time I studied!! There is a long story that got me to the point to take up nursing...its just weird where life takes you and how is molds you, even before you are fully aware of it.
I am excited about the opportunity in Nat and my life. I think it will only make us stronger and more in love with each other (if that is possible =)) i am sure there will be some challenges, but I wouldn't want to experience with anyone else. He truly is the man of my dreams and no one compares. This time we will find our way on our own, not that we didn't before, but now its really just the two of us.
I am not sure where this road will lead, but I trust the Nat would only make such a drastic change if he was confident it was the best decision for both of us. It comforting to know I have that kind of strength standing next to me. I figure if we can remodel a house, build a house and live with in-laws within the first couple years of marriage and still love each other more than ever...then we can do anything!!
Love you all...
Mrs. P
The reality of the move is starting to set in, especially with Nat in the air. It is definately a different kind of longing when you know you cant just pick up the phoneto get a hold of someone. How did the world survive without cell phones?? He was starting to get more nervous today so I think it is finally sinking in for him. I sorta wish I could have gone with him, but I think it was best for me to stay to make sure everything was good to go. So I officially have 13 days till I get on a plane. I got word from Queensland University of Technology that I was accepted into their nursing program. It is very much like the one I was going to go to here where I recieve my Bachelors degree in a 2-year program. So once I land, I will need to find a place to live, scope out the school and get registered for classes that start on JULY 20!! So my dream of sitting on the beach all day will be merely a pipe dream, and I will have to hit the books HARD, because I dont remember the last time I studied!! There is a long story that got me to the point to take up nursing...its just weird where life takes you and how is molds you, even before you are fully aware of it.
I am excited about the opportunity in Nat and my life. I think it will only make us stronger and more in love with each other (if that is possible =)) i am sure there will be some challenges, but I wouldn't want to experience with anyone else. He truly is the man of my dreams and no one compares. This time we will find our way on our own, not that we didn't before, but now its really just the two of us.
I am not sure where this road will lead, but I trust the Nat would only make such a drastic change if he was confident it was the best decision for both of us. It comforting to know I have that kind of strength standing next to me. I figure if we can remodel a house, build a house and live with in-laws within the first couple years of marriage and still love each other more than ever...then we can do anything!!
Love you all...
Mrs. P
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Nat's Last Day
So today is Nat's last day at Accenture. He has really enjoyed working there and i can imagine thought he would be there until he retired. This opportunity to move to Australia was too good to pass up and the timing was perfect. He went out with some people from work last night and seemed to have a great time. I know he will miss the friends he has made at Accenture. Hopefully some will take him up on his offer to come to Australia.
Nat has less than a week left in the USA. By next Wednesday he will be in Australia, soaking up the sun and trying to find us a place to live! He is very excited, like a toddler at Christmas. Its rather endearing. Hastings Deering is providing up to 4 weeks of housing which is nice because Nat doesnt have to live in a hotel, and they are also providing a company car for a couple weeks. I am a little hesitant of driving in AU, I have a hard enough time on the right side of the road, moreorless the left...so maybe it will be good for me!! =)
I have applied to a couple nursing programs, but havent heard anything back yet. Classes dont start until July so hopefully I will get there in enough time to get organized. I am feeling so at peace and calm with this move that it seems almost surreal. Nat and I both are barely nervous, but more anxious to get there. I am not sure our family really realizes that we are not moving to just another state, but another COUNTRY. I know my sisters will love the adventure of coming to visit, another notch in their world-travelling belt.
Overall everything has gone very smoothly. Our possessions have boarded ship and will be delivered Mid-June, and the girls (dogs) have booked their flight for Aug 11 so we will see them in Mid-September. Now all we have to do is fine a place to live! I can imagine it will be much easier once we get there. I just dont want to rush into it.
I appreciate all the avid readers, so few i know. But I am hoping once we get to AU and wont be able to talk to people as freely that this blog will be more active with all the adventures of Nat and Chrissi.
Mrs. P
Nat has less than a week left in the USA. By next Wednesday he will be in Australia, soaking up the sun and trying to find us a place to live! He is very excited, like a toddler at Christmas. Its rather endearing. Hastings Deering is providing up to 4 weeks of housing which is nice because Nat doesnt have to live in a hotel, and they are also providing a company car for a couple weeks. I am a little hesitant of driving in AU, I have a hard enough time on the right side of the road, moreorless the left...so maybe it will be good for me!! =)
I have applied to a couple nursing programs, but havent heard anything back yet. Classes dont start until July so hopefully I will get there in enough time to get organized. I am feeling so at peace and calm with this move that it seems almost surreal. Nat and I both are barely nervous, but more anxious to get there. I am not sure our family really realizes that we are not moving to just another state, but another COUNTRY. I know my sisters will love the adventure of coming to visit, another notch in their world-travelling belt.
Overall everything has gone very smoothly. Our possessions have boarded ship and will be delivered Mid-June, and the girls (dogs) have booked their flight for Aug 11 so we will see them in Mid-September. Now all we have to do is fine a place to live! I can imagine it will be much easier once we get there. I just dont want to rush into it.
I appreciate all the avid readers, so few i know. But I am hoping once we get to AU and wont be able to talk to people as freely that this blog will be more active with all the adventures of Nat and Chrissi.
Mrs. P
Friday, April 03, 2009
Update
I have been asked to provide an update...so here goes.
Nat finally got his visa approved and everything is set in stone now. What surprized me was that it took less than 2 weeks instead of 2 months. Nat is currently in Peoria and he will be there on and off till he leaves on April 20. I leave May 4, I have a wedding scheduled for May 2 so I need to stay for that. thats only 31 days away!! but it seems like a lifetime away.
I am trying to arrange dates with everyone before I go. Travelling to Peoria and to KY to see my mom and trying to touch base with all my friends here..that is a full time job all its itself. On top of that, my kitchen repaint turned into a kitchen remodel, so this house is a mess and I can hardly stand it anymore. The vacuum is broken and in the shop and the neighbors vacuum sucks...so I am seriously on the verge of going to buy one just so I can have a clean house!!
The kitchen should be done by middle of next week...if all goes as I plan =)...well a girl can dream. I am painting the bathroom today and then Ill have to paint the kitchen and the cabinets...good thing I dont have a job!
We sold our car last week so we have been trying to arrange transportation everywhere...which makes visiting outside the vicinity a bit more challenging. We also exchanged our flat screen for plumbing work for my sister...it ended up being a good deal...though there are still things to do. The moving company came out last week to take our bed and a few boxes. We really didnt realize how SMALL the container was...not much more than the bed really fit. I am totally missing my bed though...so is my back and my sanity! Only 3 months till i get it back!! oh dear.
I was telling a friend today that the original idea of moving was fine with me and the painful waiting game. Then there was the excitement of it all coming together, and the liberation of selling all the debt-consumed junk in our lives. After the thrill of acceptance, it was nose to the grindstone to get everything set in stone. A little bit of reality set in, now its the final touches and even more sinking in...and then waiting for that day to fly away. Finally I am getting a little nervous and apprehensive...oh crap, what did I just agree to?? Starting over is always scary, but I have never been that far away from family. I believe the mothers are having a harder time with it then they put off...especially mine. They will be fine, we will be fine...change is inevitable.
I sent off my applications to nursing school in AU. Hopefully I can start classes as early as July Semester...pray hard!! i cant say I am a shoe in...but I hope I am. Although it might be nice to get a job somewhere!
I get the feeling that Nat doesnt consider this a 2 year stint. He is not rushing to conclusions, but he makes subtle remarks that makes me think he may never leave AU. Lets start with the 2 years and go from there...its cute though, he already has all these mini-vacations planned for us...Fiji, Soloman, Barrier Reef, Sydney. So I guess I can consider it a 2 year honeymoon! (But he is NOT getting out of taking me to ITALY!)
My sisters (and sister in law) have already started planning their vacations. I am thinking if I can get friend/family to come once a month, I will adjust better...=) So start planning your trips! I would love to give everyone the opportunity to be able to visit. I will definately have to scope out some killer spots.
So i guess right now its just tying up loose ends and making sure we have everything taken care of before we board the planes. I am super excited for Nat, he has talked about having an opportunity like this since I met him. He is adorable, like a little kid with a new shiny toy. He really is this amazing man and I am blessed beyond measure. You should be jealous!
Nat finally got his visa approved and everything is set in stone now. What surprized me was that it took less than 2 weeks instead of 2 months. Nat is currently in Peoria and he will be there on and off till he leaves on April 20. I leave May 4, I have a wedding scheduled for May 2 so I need to stay for that. thats only 31 days away!! but it seems like a lifetime away.
I am trying to arrange dates with everyone before I go. Travelling to Peoria and to KY to see my mom and trying to touch base with all my friends here..that is a full time job all its itself. On top of that, my kitchen repaint turned into a kitchen remodel, so this house is a mess and I can hardly stand it anymore. The vacuum is broken and in the shop and the neighbors vacuum sucks...so I am seriously on the verge of going to buy one just so I can have a clean house!!
The kitchen should be done by middle of next week...if all goes as I plan =)...well a girl can dream. I am painting the bathroom today and then Ill have to paint the kitchen and the cabinets...good thing I dont have a job!
We sold our car last week so we have been trying to arrange transportation everywhere...which makes visiting outside the vicinity a bit more challenging. We also exchanged our flat screen for plumbing work for my sister...it ended up being a good deal...though there are still things to do. The moving company came out last week to take our bed and a few boxes. We really didnt realize how SMALL the container was...not much more than the bed really fit. I am totally missing my bed though...so is my back and my sanity! Only 3 months till i get it back!! oh dear.
I was telling a friend today that the original idea of moving was fine with me and the painful waiting game. Then there was the excitement of it all coming together, and the liberation of selling all the debt-consumed junk in our lives. After the thrill of acceptance, it was nose to the grindstone to get everything set in stone. A little bit of reality set in, now its the final touches and even more sinking in...and then waiting for that day to fly away. Finally I am getting a little nervous and apprehensive...oh crap, what did I just agree to?? Starting over is always scary, but I have never been that far away from family. I believe the mothers are having a harder time with it then they put off...especially mine. They will be fine, we will be fine...change is inevitable.
I sent off my applications to nursing school in AU. Hopefully I can start classes as early as July Semester...pray hard!! i cant say I am a shoe in...but I hope I am. Although it might be nice to get a job somewhere!
I get the feeling that Nat doesnt consider this a 2 year stint. He is not rushing to conclusions, but he makes subtle remarks that makes me think he may never leave AU. Lets start with the 2 years and go from there...its cute though, he already has all these mini-vacations planned for us...Fiji, Soloman, Barrier Reef, Sydney. So I guess I can consider it a 2 year honeymoon! (But he is NOT getting out of taking me to ITALY!)
My sisters (and sister in law) have already started planning their vacations. I am thinking if I can get friend/family to come once a month, I will adjust better...=) So start planning your trips! I would love to give everyone the opportunity to be able to visit. I will definately have to scope out some killer spots.
So i guess right now its just tying up loose ends and making sure we have everything taken care of before we board the planes. I am super excited for Nat, he has talked about having an opportunity like this since I met him. He is adorable, like a little kid with a new shiny toy. He really is this amazing man and I am blessed beyond measure. You should be jealous!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
