Baby you can drive my car

[AllisonW]

Today I passed my drivers licence. Believe it or not dealing with this part of the move has probably been the worst for me. I had a really rough time getting my licence 17 years ago in South Africa and was petrified about doing it again. Three weeks ago I tried and failed. In my basket case state I went 6 kms over the speed limit. My husband went the next day, passed first time and will probably never let me live it down. Lol.

So today saw me and my dear long suffering driver instructor at the Seaford office trying again. i probably felt more positive about childbirth. But I passed, despite the fact that it was 3:30pm, which meant school times (damn 40 zones popping up!) and rush hour as everyone started to go home down the Nepean highway. When I got back into Vicroads convinced that I had failed and was told the happy news that I was able to go forth and torment the australian road users, I realised something very significant. Today I have been in Australia for six months on the dot.

As I drove home, full of glee, I also felt many other emotions as I reflected on the last six months. I found myself asking myself whether if I had known then what I knew know would I have done it? And knew in a second that I would have. In some of my previous posts i have shared some of my emotional struggles and how hard this move has been on us. And it was hard. It is hard. There is just no easy way to pack up your life and restart again. Unless you have a years supply of Valium. And in retrospect we werent expecting it to be hard. We thought we fitted the textbook perfect immigrant. We are a close family, self sufficient emotionally, we have a strong marriage, we believe we are aware parents, we were financially as prepared as we could be and highly skilled. This was an adventure and I was going to enjoy the ride. And I have. I really, really, really have. But that doesnt mean this road hasnt been hard.

Since i have arrived I have felt like I need to share this because I think many people downplay it. And I agree that it shouldnt be dwelt on too much. But the reality is that we are leaving a nightmare in South Africa and that gives us such a feeling of "I just need to get out of THIS place!" that it gives us a false sense of how easy its going to be. And here is the thing. It is good. Its click your heels good! Its wow good. Its misty eyed when your kids play cricket in the street good. Its bursting with pride when you see your kids flourish good. Its feeling safe good. But its still hard.

We have been here six months and I love it. And i have come to see Australians more clearly and I love them as a nation dearly. They arent perfect. They can be petty, and rude and human. But they are welcoming and kind and in their quieter way they have made me feel at home. I cant thank people enough for what they have done for me. My neighbours have just embraced me. They pop over and visit and invite me for tea. I went on a bus for a xmas trip to the crown plaza hotel with three of my neighbours (all in their sixties) and I won my first $100 at the pokies! The lovely matriach across the road who sent my kids gifts and always calls them over for a lolly and watches them play in the park. the Australians who have opened their home for xmas and embraced my kids. The kinder mums who have taken my number, organised play dates. To Thomas my 5 year old's first Australian friend who put his hand up on the kinder outing to the zoo and told the class "Seth can tell us all about the animals - he comes from Africa you know!!". I had 14 kids at my older son's birthday and 16 at my younger son's party (December babies!) Every mum or dad spoke to us and reminded us quietly - "You guys are new here - need anything? Just give us a shout?" The lifesaving club members who have embraced us and showered attention on our kids. The neighbours sons who come and ring my door bell and ask for Gabriel (Is Gabriel here? Can he play?) The list goes on and on.

Fellow south Africans have been equally amazing. i couldnt have made it without the core group of south african women who have listened to me, made me tea, made me feel normal, calmed my homesickness with their presence. there are few thing that cant be made better with a cup of tea and a friend.

We are grateful for our house, our friends, my husbands job, to the beautiful city of Melbourne. I have had my moments when I want to stamp my foot, howl and say "Stuff this!" but it passes. If you are in my beloved South Africa tonight, please know that a wonderful new life awaits you. You will not regret it.

On the 26th December Australia will play cricket against Sri Lanka at the MCG in Melbourne and my eldest son was chosen from his cricket group to go and play a mini match on the field during the break. I couldnt be prouder and I am amazed as a south african that nobody cared about his skin colour or that he was a new arrival. He got a fair shot at being picked, just like every other kid on the team. And thats what its all about when you think about....

[GideonVD]

Congrats...

[RAD]

Wow congrats on the license. It can be daunting. I failed my first time and hubby got his first time, as well. Have booked for next week as the second try.

I think that when you get the drivers card show it off Mr Bean style, "see what I've got". That's what I'm going to do,lol

Have a fabulous Christmas Al

[Toitjie]

Beautiful post...thank you

[Fish]

Allison I post on a bunch of immigration forums so read a lot of posts and always think your posts are right at the top of the pile. I reckon it wouldn't hurt for people starting the journey to read your posts twice. I imagine you help a lot of people by writing them. Thank you.

Edited December 19, 2012 by Fish

[kdub]

What a great positive post. Excellent Very encouraging

[AlBrough]

That puts a smile on my face and lets me know I am doing the right thing

[Sharon]

Always love your posts Allison as you write what we all feel.

[OubaasDik]

Alison,

The rest of the people have said almost everything, but WOW!!!!

It's hard, but you're on top.

A GREAT post and worth domrhow handing out to all new joiners as "required reading" - I jest, of course, but a lovely post.

[Sunnyskies]

Wow congrats on the license. It can be daunting. I failed my first time and hubby got his first time, as well. Have booked for next week as the second try.

I think that when you get the drivers card show it off Mr Bean style, "see what I've got". That's what I'm going to do,lol

Have a fabulous Christmas Al

True - but then I realise it has my birth year emblazoned on it and I quickly tuck it away again. Pity I wasn't an 80s baby, sigh.

Great post Allison - don't worry the next six months get easier and then the six after that, ....

[HadEnoughofJuju]

Hey Alison, my wife just read this to me and we are both sitting here in tears. Tears of joy, happiness and excitement more than anything else. I am so looking forward to joining all of you in Australia. Thanks for the honesty and raw emotion and not sugar coating it. :ilikeit:

[deroche]

Congrats! It is the one thing that is stressing me out the most.

[africancowgirl]

Thanks Allison - as mentioned before, your posts are superb (and so is your positive attitude!)

[MarcK]

Great post Alison. We have been here 6 months just a day ahead of you and it has been a journey second to none. Regrets - I have none and know we have made the right move. But miss SA heaps and still have my moments of longing for the familiar. With each passing day it gets easier and feels more normal.

To all those in SA wondering if its the right move you will only know once you get here. It is a tough journey and you need to be prepared for the self doubt and moments of reflection and questioning. Australia is not Utopia - but it works!