Tazzn Posted March 26, 2014 Report Share Posted March 26, 2014 This journal is going to serve as a little reminder to me about "why we are doing this". I know when days gets tough I'm going to need to remember why the hell we decided to turn our lives upside down.So today marks the day of official step one. Deposit has just been paid to our agents Migrate2OZ. OH and I started discussing this whole topic quite arbly after I had a pretty depressing meeting at work (end of Jan 2014). There just seemed to be an overwhelming number of ecomic negatives in RSA. The mention of the ranking of RSA's education system and more disasterously the level of mathematical ability. From one conversation it has snowballed into a formal decision to leave our homelands, our family and our friends in search of a better lifestyle and future for us and more importantly our daughter.It's barely been more than 2 months since that inital discussion and already I have changed my mind a million times from damn this can we just get on a plan and leave to what the hell are we doing giving up what we have and restarting our lives (my whole life I've been so conservative and sort of lived by the rule of rather the devil you know than the devil you don't). My mindset at the moment is we're in for one heck of an adventure, we all know taking the adverturous path is unknown it may be a smooth tar road but it will more than likely be a rutted, potholed gravel path. In the end the most beautiful things in the world can only be obtained by travellign the path least followed... this may become my new mantra!So we're off to find the Wizard the wonderful wizard of OZ 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mara Posted March 26, 2014 Report Share Posted March 26, 2014 Congratulations on your decision, I trust your path will be a smooth one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LisaActually Posted March 26, 2014 Report Share Posted March 26, 2014 Hi TazznWe are in almost exactly the same boat, started discussing it in early February and paid initial fees to migrate2oz last week. Have started initial paperwork and applied for unabridged certificates and getting paperwork together. It's all rather daunting and we have changed our minds 100 times. And probably cried more times than that. I'm in Durban too soo if you want to get together and have a cup of coffee or something that would be great. Lisa 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tazzn Posted March 26, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 26, 2014 Cool Lisa Whereabout in Durban are you? I live in Hillcrest area and work in Westville Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LisaActually Posted March 26, 2014 Report Share Posted March 26, 2014 Will send you a pm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1982 Posted March 26, 2014 Report Share Posted March 26, 2014 We should maybe arrange a little get together for those interested? Im also in Durban - Ballito. xx 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LisaActually Posted March 26, 2014 Report Share Posted March 26, 2014 Cool I think that's a good idea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tazzn Posted March 26, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 26, 2014 sounds great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LisaActually Posted March 26, 2014 Report Share Posted March 26, 2014 I created this post - lets see if we can find a date/time/place that works for all of us: http://www.saaustralia.org/index.php/topic/42529-coffeelunchmeetup-durban-10-may-2014/XLisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tazzn Posted April 1, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 1, 2014 So I've made my way through the rems of paper for VETASSESS got together all my documents now just stuck on getting stuff out of my previous employer. After numerous phone calls to HR where no one picks up, replies to voice messages or emails. I finally found an email address for the MD's PA (the only personal at the company who is still around from when I was there). So hopefully when the MD is back on Friday I can get that sorted.If all goes smoothly skills assessment will be ready for lodging next week!!!!!!!! Then we can tick off step 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RYLC Posted April 5, 2014 Report Share Posted April 5, 2014 One step at a time hey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tazzn Posted April 8, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2014 So Step 2 is a tick. VETASSESS has been submitted and paid for today !!!!!!!!!!!!!!Hopefully the next few weeks go by quickly. have to admit I think the scariest part for me is getting this positive skills assessment. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tazzn Posted May 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 9, 2014 IELTS time. Doing my speaking exam at 4pm this afternoon and then writing parts tomorrow morning. It feels so ridiculous that I'm so nervous about an English exam, at school I would have offered to write one everyday! Feel like my family's hopes are riding on the back of my performance. It's a big weight to bear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BriD Posted May 9, 2014 Report Share Posted May 9, 2014 Good luck for the Ielts!! I remember how stressful it was. You gonna be fine. Holding thumbs for you! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tazzn Posted May 12, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2014 So IELTS box ticked, well just have to wait for the results. I thought it went quite well so hopefully my thoughts are right and I wasn't way off track. It's now time to play the waiting game for a while. IELTS done and skills assessment submitted in April so we sit back and wait for all the outcomes.My husband's boss arrived in Queensland last week. They are staying with family on the Gold Coast. They start the process of looking for premises for the new business this week. Hopefully soon we'll know exactly what area we'll most likely be going to. Hopefully the business takes off and all goes well. They seem to be getting things going that side and have organised their medicare and other odds and ends. Their school going son (high school age) has already got a part time job and has made friends. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tazzn Posted May 27, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 27, 2014 Things have felt a bit stagnant for a while. Skills assessment in and waiting for outcome, waiting on unabridged certificates, work super busy so little time for thinking anything never mind Australia. Today though one little piece of waiting will be revealed... IELTS results are finally out. There was a delay with 10 MAy test results so instead of being ready on Friday they were only released today. Official ones aren't ready for collection but internet results look GOOD. Listening 9, Reading 9, Writing 8.5 and Speaking 8.5 OVERALL 9. WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. This was a big weight on my shoulders and I am so so happy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BriD Posted May 27, 2014 Report Share Posted May 27, 2014 Excellent scores Tazz!!!! You should be so proud! A huge weight off your shoulders I am sure 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronwyn&Co Posted May 27, 2014 Report Share Posted May 27, 2014 Yeah when someone says to Tazz 'You don't listen to me!' She can just shove that paper in their face. Proof that she is a very good listener! ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tazzn Posted May 27, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 27, 2014 LOL Bronwyn &CoWhen I sent my results to my hubby he had a few comments about that listening skill............ just wondering if this now proves that he doesn't remember what he says 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tazzn Posted May 30, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 30, 2014 It's been a few crazy weeks. Work has been non stop for the last while and at home we are prepping for our daughter's party on Saturday. All in all this has had any and all thoughts of Australia out my mind.. so while not googling the wonders of Aus and at the same time thinking of the all the family and friends that will be with us to celebrate tomorrow I have been lulled into a comfort zone. I am happy, things are going well. I love my job and am surrounded by family and friends that I love so why don't we just stay put. Save a few thousand rands and enjoy a life in South Africa. Well last night I burst my own bubble. My husband was out playing in his weekly squash league and I was home alone with my daughter. Whilst in the shower I heard a noise and my heart literally jumped out my throat... I don't know what it was and clearly wasn't anything life threatening but the fact that my mind went straight to "intruder alert intruder alert" made me wonder a bit.When we first discussed starting this journey to Oz it was "financial". We were worried about the state of the economy of the country, what the future would hold for our money. It was also about our daughter's future, her educational etc... never did I think I'm scared to live in this country. I didn't realise the level of "panic" that was just under the surface. Am I so "used" to that feeling of fear that I don't even realise it's there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rozellem Posted May 31, 2014 Report Share Posted May 31, 2014 Wow Tazzn, what a horrible shock, and that at your most vulnerable, in the shower. Can honestly say, I have not felt that feeling in many, many years. Here in Sydney, I dont think we have ever locked our back door. The front door is closed at night, otherwise its mainly wide open.........so that the whole streets kids (11 kids under 7) can run in and out of houses. I have been on the toilet and kids would walk past, greeting me cheerily! One day, my husband and boys had gone to the shops, and I was tapping away on my laptop, when I heard a rustle behind me in the play room. I almost fainted, but was actually thinking it must be a local cat (never a thief). It turns out a neighbouring 4 year old was playing in there, had been for a good 20mins by herself. Its a different world. Imagine not seeing your 4 year old daughter for over 20mins in RSA! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RYLC Posted May 31, 2014 Report Share Posted May 31, 2014 Rozellem don't let the WA crowd on here see your post about never locking the back door - you'll be accused of being out of touch with reality LOL PS We are lucky enough to live a similar lifestyle in South Australia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tazzn Posted July 8, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 8, 2014 Feeling in such a state of limbo at the moment. Was really hoping to hear on my skills assessment by the end of June (12 wks after application as per their recommended lead time) but that has come and gone and it seems that VETASSESS are behind. Suppose I better get used to this state of being. We don't want to spend big money/change things/buy things in RSA because we might not be around to enjoy them but we can't move on to the next step. Argh... just feeling frustrated.Sorry this should be renamed my little vent journal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DXB2OZ Posted July 8, 2014 Report Share Posted July 8, 2014 Just remember that your vent of today could give someone else encouragement tomorrow. Have survived this process by reading about others going through the same thing, what was good, what was bad. So keep sharing, keep battling on - it's worth it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tazzn Posted July 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2014 So in less than two weeks we have gone from stagnant to steaming ahead.... and now my foot is flying maddly in the direction of the brake pedal!I received a positive VETASSES on Monday. Agents are submitting our EOI before the end of the week. Apparently there is an invitation round on Monday and our agents seem pretty positive we'll get a good outcome. I am happy things are moving again but the nerves are really setting in BIG time. The VISA's are a lot of money and we can't afford an activation trip so I know it'll be a whirlwind when we get the VISA and that our time in RSA is minimal. It's all bringing up so many emotions.I don't think I've ever felt this torn before. I am excited about the opportunities for our Daughter especially in consideration to her education and job opportunities for the future. I'm excited for a bit of an adventure with my hubby, with the state of the rand I don't think we'd every have the opportunity to travel overseas and this may be our chance to see a bit more of the world and hopefully if things go well we'll be earning a better currancy and able to travel else where. I am looking forward to feeling safer, to have things work and maybe enjoy life a bit more but in amongst all the excitement is an overriding fear. I am not the kind of person that ever makes big leaps of faith and this seems to be a gigantic one. We don't know what we're going to, we don't know the country, don't have any family there and don't have jobs. i am terrified that it'll all go wrong and we'll be dragging our little girl into it with us. I know it'll be hard and settling in will take time but the path can be rough and potholed (we are used to those as saffers) just as long as there is light at the end of the way. Now I just wish I could see the damn light from the beginning of the road. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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