A little bit of kiwi - part 2

[sibble]

Hi Guys

Have started us a new thread, hope you don't mind. With my dinosaur it takes me forever to scroll down to the bottom to post! (Don't ask)

Papillon - I am so happy for you. I hope things work out for you all. I am monitoring (auditing) drug trials atm (not for long I hope!!) Luckily Hastings HC is a smooth centre, the staff lovely and of course a great place to visit so it makes the trip worth while. Last time it was too hard to organise the boys for an overnight trip so I caught the first plane out, the last plane back and spent all day in a room with no windows going cross eyed counting drugs and checking records while the sun shone outside. NOw DH is practised in teh art of child care I will stay at least 1 night and hopfully see more than 4 walls.

ssshakethechi - you just have to come and join the ever growing band of NZ mumsnetters, we are growing by the day.

Hi All
I like to think I'm 5'5 but my passport says 5'4 (I think the measure slipped!). It's funny when we lived in london I always wore heels, DS said he didn't realise how 'short' I was until we moved here and I swapped my heels for flats (try being a mountain goat up and down Aucklands hill in 3" heels - not a good look).
You know life is really good at the moment. Each day of late I have woken and thought how happy and lucky I am........I wasn't sure I had postnatal depression when I was told I did, but looking back now I was certainly in some hole somewhere and probably did have it. All I know is after 2 years of having a black cloud hanging over me, each day just gets better and better. Life is great.
As for the weather, it was quite scary and we're not far up north. At one point I thought the house was going to blow off the hill. My new little car was blown over the road like paper, very scary, but at least the ground is now soft and hope (if it doesn't rain again) to spend all day weeding.......
Have good days all of you

kjaysmum - thanks very much for the offer, unfortunately, we are only on the North island and not travelling any further than Lake Taupo. Terrible really as everyone keeps telling us that we won't have seen the real NZ but as this trip was all about a fact finding expedition we didn't really have much choice.
We did, however, meet Sibble and her lovely family. She was absolutely smashing putting on a lovely BBQ for a family of strangers letting us all invade her house. Just chatting about 'stuff' really helps to fill in gaps and further the overall picture. And I can confirm, contrary to Ghostys description she is not a hairy trucker! Well maybe only a little bit

HAHA at hairy trucker!
Sibble it is truly wonderful to read your post about how fulfilled. A post that feeds the Soul x

The sun is shining, such a wonderful Autumn The kids very happy to see their father, they are off blackberry picking and suddenly I have moments to myself!

Have applied for a part time job as Librarian. I do love books and have always wanted to work in a Library.

KJM I need to get into a Yoga class, my own slack attempts are stretching are not enough. Off to work in the orchard soon, so better not dally too long!

Hello all, just thought I'd better drop post before the computer goes into a box! Big move tomorrow hope to be back online on tuesday.

Hope you're enjoying your chill out time Paps, you deserve it, I can see you as a librarian, good luck.

No probs Faraway tree, sometimes it's best not to try and do too much with the lo's so can understand why your not doing the whole of NZ, you'll just have to come back again!

Ooh OOh new house, how exciting

Just lurking a bit here ...
I have 5 more nights in NZ until we move to Australia but wanted to say hi before I go.
Glad you met Sibble farawaytree ... she is fab isn't she? No, not a hairy trucker ... and yes, she is small
A good friend who I will miss when I go

Nice post from you there Sibble me old mate ... In my less stressed moments I feel grateful too ... NZ is a fab place, i am glad to have lived here and become an official kiwi

Farawaytree - I understand you fly off on the 11th - same day as me ... what time is your flight? We could hook up at the airport ...

Ghosty goes to live in Australia!!! Thats a news flash for me as a more rare MN poster these days. All the best Ghosty, several of my mates have moved there recently, so I have been known to mutter gruffly about the place its still got a criminal thieving nature, seeing as half the population of NZ lives there!

KJM having internet contact with your "MIL" atm about some books and she said she was looking after KJ today Hope the move went well and the computer is out of the box soon. It will be nice to put your things out into move spacious environment x

Hello all, I'm back on line after our move. All went well, we had the most glorious easter weekend for our move, clear and still. It was absolutely exhausting, I must confess. The new house is fantastic and we are all really happy with it, so much so, that Ds has learnt to say "fantastic"

Ghosty, hope your move to Oz goes smoothly, would have love to have met you here, where in Oz are you going?
Hope your journey back to Europe goes well too, Farawaytree.

So where are you at Papillon, are your lo's still with their Dad? How's the bach, have you had any time there yet to add your touch or are you still waiting for the keys.

Sibble you always seem to be having some fun so what are you up to in the school hols, will you be at your bach?

Hi all, glad your move went well, are you still in the same area. My BIL announced he was getting married at the weekend, so we will be in Wellington in a few weeks time for the wedding (date still to be confirmed) but I think you're on the Kaptiti coast.
You're right the easter weather was fantastic, we were at the bach, boys (we all) had a great time, swimming in the sea (kept chanting, it'll be alright when I'm in - boy was it cold getting in). They had kiddies surf comps, sand castle building, beach volley ball, sack races etc...fantastic.
Yesterday I took DS2 (age2) to see Hi 5. Watching his face was a dream, he loved it!!! It was a long day though, went with friends and we decided to catch the ferry into town instead of driving, the whole thing took 6.5 hours. He were all shattered when we got home last night.
Today off to the movies, then back to the bach for the weekend. Am meant to be dong a duathlon on Sunday but am going to flag it, have a run on the beach early instead and get on with painting the bach. I've also started to make some garden art and do some paintings at the bach which at the moment seems a much better idea than running and cycling with alot of other sweaty women!!!

Your Easter sounded fabulous, Sibble and very busy as usual. Let me know when you're in Wellie, as it's only and hour from me and I go down regularly to see the inlaws and pals. If you've any time amidst the wedding celebrations, there's an indoor play centre called Junglerama where the lo's can play and we can have a coffee, it'd be lovely to meet you and yours. We are still in Waikanae although not quite so close to the beach, this does have it's advantages though as the soil is much better quality so my herbs should thrive (in theory!)
Hey Paps, you not online much, hope this is a sign that you are having lots of R and R

Hey, have come to post, but then don't know what to type. DH has been here since last Thursday so I can see the kids. He is being really great and open - its a very new improved version of the stressed out, emotionally mixed up guy from Bern. I am just taking my time and we both expressing ourselves.

Had a lovely day out today, visited Dannevirke and the Fantasy Cave - $10 for the 4 of us and four floors of nursery rhyme scenes and other sights... the kids loved it... all voluntarily run and well worth a visit if ever passing through Vegas! Took about an hour.

Great to hear you are settling in KJM and getting those planter boxes organised??

sounds like you've been getting on ok with Dh, must make things easier.

I'm not really full of chat today either, must be a weekend thing!

Hi All
Half way through the school holidays and 2 very very tired children. They have been asleep for 2 hours (bliss now but hmmmmmmmm, will they sleep later), so thought I would make good use of the time and have a play with trade me!!! Am now addicted. Have placed two items for sale and have had an offer on one. I can't believe I am so excited. Have spent the past hour trawling the house for more things to sell. Need the boys to wake up so I can get some kind of life back. Think need to have a quiet day tomorrow to let them recharge their batteries. Sometimes I forget they are so little and tend to try to pack too much into the holidays and weekends. Movie and snuggles under the blankets in order tonight I think.

I like trademe too... and once i am in my new house, there will be no stopping me < off now to see what Sibble is selling >

Kids gone again with DH. Easy dinner, fish and chips! And tomorrow I go for an interview for job as Librarian. I am such a book worm!

I have been on the other end of trade me this weekend as I'm in search of some items of furniture, no luck yet though. One of those items happens to be a nice bookshelf (talking of books, Papillon) can't be in the book business with out a nice set of book shelves,can we now!! Loads of luck with your interview tomorrow, gosh just think if you get it, next time we all get together you and Dp can talk shop

So you worked out Trademe did you Sibble?
She saw how much I made on my stuff pre move and couldn't contain her excitement
Am here in Melbourne now, so am officially gate crashing your Kiwi thread - but as yet I have no Aussie mates (sob) ...
I took DS to school today for his first day and cried on the way home because he was so very very brave - he had a good day too.
Has it stopped raining in NZ yet?

Hi Ghosty
Glad to hear DS had a good day at school, it really is always more traumatic for us than them (well usually anyway).
We're ahving classic Auckland weather, one minute torrential and cold, teh next togs and swimming weather - sad fact of life Autumn has arrived.
As for Trade Me, I'm addicted, now have 7 items listed and more to place when boys give me some breathing space.

Papillon, I hope your interview went well. ALl the best. DS1 and I had a conversation in the car today - him 'what do you want me to be when I grow up mummy', me 'happy', him 'nooooooooooo, what job', me 'whatever job makes you happy. life is too short to do something that doesn't make you happy'. Maybe a bit too deep and meaningful for a 7 year old, but food for thought - strat them young. So if books are your passion and working with them would make you happy, then I truly hope you get the job and if not there is something better around the corner.

KJ - I'm still waiting for the wedding date, as soon as I know I'll be in touch, we would love to catch up with you.

Anyway off to put these tired monsters to bed. Ghosty am off to Jacinta's tomorrow, DS1 will get to play with her boys.

Ah Sibble, give her a big special hug from me - you will love her boys - they are magic ... just as magic as yours

Got the children booked in swimming lessons today - teacher seemed horrified at DS's strokes (I thought he was doing well, but obviously not ). DD is booked into a creche on Friday afternoon (coffee and gossip mag here I come ) and she and I start a playgroup tomorrow (yawn, but a means to an end - got to make friends somehow)
What is it they say about rolling stones and moss?

One thing I notice about aussie life so far - no one seems to walk to school ... and there are no children playing out and about anywhere .... feels a bit like being back in the UK ...

hmmmmmmmmm, well here's a shocker for you DH announced last night he wants to move to Oz . Brisbane or Perth. I've already lived in Perth so we're looking at Brisbane where a very old friend of mine now lives. Better get my application in to be a proper kiwi or when he changes his mind after we're there they might not let me in here. have heard kids wear shoes in Oz because of wildlife, not sure how my 2 will go, DS2 doesn't even own a pair at the mo

Knowing what i know about you and slithery things I wouldn't choose Brisbane

Yes, DS has to wear closed shoes to school ... but I think that is more to do with Health and Safety than being bitten - especially in the Melbourne suburbs ...
Aus is getting similar to the UK re. H&S apparently.

Unlike the kiwis with the 'Shoes Optional' on the School uniform list

I hope DH is prepared for the year long wait for your citizenship - by the time I get my passport it will be over a year since lodging my application

loads of luck with your settling Ghosty. You too then Sibble it's a Oz exodus! What sort of Kiwi are you now then, Sibble, I presumed you were a homebred, where are you from, did I miss that somewhere, probably knowing me .

So Papillon, how did it go with your interview, did you enjoy it? how was your interviewer was it someone you could relate to?

I'm just about to sit my driving theory test so I can swop my license over, ooh I'll feel even more Kiwi then...

no, i'm an import. dh imported me 4.5 years ago. at the moment I have permanent residency but have had the forms to apply for citizenship for a year and not submitted them. Must do it this week. Also have to add that DH changes his mind as often as Auckland weather, so it's hgihly inlikely we will be going anywhere. He really enjoys his job but is finding the MD increasingly difficult to work with, so it's either find another job and there's not that much choice in NZ also once he starts looking word will be out and that will be it. Or apply for a transfer with the same company, earn heaps more in Aussie dollars and leave the door open to come back. I tend not to get too excited until he hands his notice in . A few years ago he applied for a job in Guam ,then came home and asked me where Guam was
KJ good luck with you written test.
Paps, how long do you have to wait to hear about the job? fingers crossed for you both

forgot to add, originally from London (one of the very few) but spent most of life in Essex and no I don't and never have owned a pair of white stilettos other colours yes, white no
DH and I lived in woodford green before we moved here, towards end of central line. how about you?

ooh now there's a question, I'm a Brummie origionally but left there pretty sharpish, no offence Brummies, just not a city lass at heart. I travelled many, many countries and finally settled in Portugal, where my dad now lives. Found it very hard to make ends meet there so used to work in Nederlands for a few months of the year, where I finally settled with my Kiwi Dp and made our Ds. Now we are here and I love it!

Hey whats going on here, First ghosty now you Sibble!!! Do you want to go, didn't you and your very tall DH just buy a bach here!! My life is crazy enough without exodus to OZ going ons!

Job interview with Library seemed to go very well. I felt they liked me and were impressed. But maybe I am too overqualified! They did not seem too worried about my glamourous past They should let me know tomorrow if I have the job.

Spending time giving my niece and nephew extra cuddles this week while my kids are away. They are back on Sunday. And ds has just started walking!!! Typical DH was really worried he would not see him walk, he when he really does get up and going, I am not about! I have had afew brief sad moments about that, but am okay deep down about it and know how much joy it gives DH and his mother, and that makes me happy

Thanks for the photos KJ Will defo try and get down for the birthday bash, especially now you have a spare room for guests!

Yes, we did just buy a bach but that's my DH for you, likes to keep me on my toes. To be honest, no I don't want to go. I spent 4 unhappy years here, missing family and friends, I have been so happy for the past 6 months, just feeling comfortable and that I belong. I tend to go with the flow until it's crunch time. WIth Dh if I say no, he becomes obsessed with wanting it, if I say OK it usually passes and as Ghosty points out it will probably take a year to get my citizenship through and I'm not leaving without it so we can easily come back. It just he's at breaking point working with his MD who meddles in everything. DH feels he can't do anything without a 3 hour lecture on how to do when it's already done, finished and no problems but at the same time the bloke isn't doing his own job..... but if he starts looking for another job, Auckland is a small place word will get out and he will have to go. The MD has just had a bad accident and been out of action for a while, when he's off the morphine !! and back to normal DH is going to try a sit down, lets resolve this talk and take it from there, but isn't holding his breath. He was also promised directorship by now and although is doing the job and has been for the past 6 months title and salary and not forthcoming. Anyway..............I sit and wait my fate.

Anyway, last day of the hols Iwas going to take boys to bach for day trip but feel sluggish this morning so we'll stay at home have probably the last swim of the summer and do wome gardening. That sounds nice.