Massively cheesed orf and need a whinge

[CrystalDeCanter]

I've been in Australia for 7 years now and although most of the time I'm happy, today I just need a massive whinge . . .

1. It takes FOREVER to get anything done here, we've had our car being repaired for the past 3 months - still not back - it is just a mini gearbox not a fucking space ship.

1. EVERYTHING is hugely expensive - need windows repaired on our house - carpenter can't be arsed to do it so recommends we pay $10K for new ones. Yeah sure.

1. Education system is shit - dd is nearly 9 and still in the equivalent of infants. Really pisses me off that she is learning nothing. It's great that she loves school and adores her teacher but really she is coasting. I feel I should become a farking Tiger mum, if we ever return to the UK she'll be years behind.

1. Australia is too big, there is fuck all in most of it. Squash it all up a bit.

1. It's cold and wet - where is the lovely weather eh, where?

1. DH has booked in to do a cycle race in March, to pay for travel and accommodation for a weekend for the family would be $1500. ONE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS. This doesn't allow for the $300 entry fee.

1. I miss my friends in England and want to go home but can't.

Right, feel mildly better now. If you're feeling frustrated with where you live please feel free to add your gripes. We can be whingeing poms together.

You have missed a critical point off your list
8) Australia is full of Australians
The accent would drive me bonkers. Worst ,would be beginning to obtain it.

Oh I don't mind the accent too much 4x4. Apart from everyone is so perky that gets right on my nerves. What I would give for a bit of British sullenness.

There are some British accents which are much worse imho, but the really naselly Aussie ones are pretty bad.

I broke down last night and told my DH I'd had enough and I wanted to go home. Australia is lovely and everything but I'm a sarky, cynical cow and I don't fit in here.

Oh no Kalevala that's such a shame. Was DH receptive? Can you make plans to go back? I remember when I first got here I would make hilarious jokes and NO ONE would laugh, all the women I met were so Stepford. It took me ages to find like minded friends.

Yes he has been receptive, bless him. Am due DD no 2 in Feb, so staying put for a while yet, but the plan is to go back late next year. The Stepford thing is familiar, I feel all my friendships and relationships here are on a superficial level. I just want a bit of banter!

Three months to fix a gear box is ridiculous- even by Asian standards.

Can I have a whine about Telekom Malaysia?

We are moving next week and need to transfer our phone and internet to the new address (less than two miles away)

To transfer the account I have to go to the main office, take a ticket and queue up to speak to a man behind a desk.

Can't do it over the phone. (I did check they were a telephone company!) SO in the week that I am moving, I have to find a whole morning to go and do this, can't do it in advance, has to be done the day you want it transferred. In person. Not on the phone. FFS.

We should start a support group. I'm in melb, land of the worst customer service ever.

I thought I'd like it here with everyone being so laid back, except laid back appears to be code for bone idle. Maybe I need to move areas.

Arghh

I know you are moaning about Oz but I want to moan about Canada. They are all so 'polite' passive aggressive.

God, we are all so unhappy! There ate three or four threads on this at the moment.

We are actually Stuchbery as dh can't get a British visa.

I have become a tiger mother in the past few weeks. My two are so far behind that it scares me. My youngest is failing and the school have told me that I have to take her to a paediatric doctor to get her assessed as there is no provision. god knows how much that will cost

Today I have made a planets diorama with my nine year old with fimo clay. Tiger mother, that's me.

MrsTerry, Canadians are passive-aggressive?? Really?
Huh.
How? I need examples.
Maybe it's an Island thing. Here, there are rude arseholes and really nice people. Come move to my neighbourhood.

Oh wait... I forgot to whinge about something.

Nuts. I can't. I'm not an expat.

Ok, can I complain that October was gorgeous, and November is, well, not - I'm cold and the sun rises around 9 am and it's dark by 2:30 pm? This may be a tiny exaggeration but it feels like it!

Jacks I would happily move to your neighbourhood. You have a bit of culture and diversity. Try the white, white, bland Island.

For people trying to work out WTF, Jacks and I are quiche-mates here in Canada. She lives in the fabulous, exciting city whilst I languish on the boring, boring island.

Stuck here........

I rather liked the Stuchbery, savoy. Sorry things are a bit cack, and good luck with the paediatric doc. And the fimo, now I come to think of it. I came across a hardened ball of the stuff when "clearing" the garage. Brought it all back. Then I binned it.

All the best to you and yours.

The people aren't friendly, do not get my sense of humour and it's really hard to make proper friends.

Gah! Why did I marry a blasted Australian?

You too Echt. I'm going back in three weeks but we will have to come back I think if dh can't get a visa. The appeal hearing is at the end of Feb but its already been reviewed and rejected so not looking too hopeful. He's lived half his life in England. And his wages are well above average.

And this is why I've left...

Well, was rather glad my dh was made redundant.

I went to do a shop the other week in Lidl. My trolley was fairly full. '£35 she said' '£35?' I nearly fainted.

I'm now happy as a pig in shit.

Come join me!

Oh Savoy I do hope they sort it out soon.

What is the reasoning behind them not letting your dh have a visa? They must have a proper reason that's valid. Is it not worth seeking legal advice?

Oh savoy, it is so shit about your husband. :( my dh is still in oz. We (me and the dc) have been back for a few days short of a year.

We FaceTime every day, and he has come over for a couple of weeks per quarter but it is horrid. And worse still I am used to it.

It really doesn't sound right about the visa. It couldn't be something daft like he has the same name as someone undesirable could it?

Long! So pleased you are back sneaky hug are things any better with your dh?

Crystal, it so much depends on the teacher when they return. Ds teacher has been fabulous and he has almost caught up. Poor dd has not had such a good time and her teacher has her pegged as low average when the tutor she has been seeing says she is v.bright.

I so missed having a shared sense of humour. It was probably the biggest single issue that drove me home. Well that and Sainsburys. :o

Ha ha haaaaaa... it would be fairer to say I live about a 45 min drive from the exciting city :o

I Am Suburban Mum! With access to said city...

I'd love it if you lived nearby, MrsT. :)

I got nostalgic seeing a Glaswegian draincover (in museum) the other day. Oh dear!

I practically sobbed when I saw the oak tree in Adelaide zoo. :o The dc did the whole rolled eye thing but it was so lovely to see one after 2 years!

Ah but you can hug a tree . Agree, oaks glorious and homesickness odd!

Scone if you're in Adelaide come up to Stirling, heaps of oaks up here!

Savoy so are you moving back?? Would it help dh if you went through a bus agency? I don't really know what I'm talking about, just that friends used one to come to Oz as he had something dodgy in his past - can't remember what...

I had a phone call from gearbox mechanic this morning, the car was due back today, but apparently it's making a 'funny' noise . Also I'm waiting for 2 quotes on windows (this is so boring, sorry) that have taken at least 2 weeks. Gaaahhhhh.

Visa agency NOT bus agency. Stupid phone.