Popular Post Crossedover Posted January 3, 2016 Popular Post Report Share Posted January 3, 2016 (edited) On the 27 December 2014 we arrived with raw emotions and more luggage than we could handle... After a festive and emotional Christmas we arrived in Sydney as a family of 5 having very little idea of how things were going to unfold. We were pleased for the few things we had set in place from SA. A car rental for a week, a months accommodation through Air B'n B and a basic Coles shop scheduled to be delivered a few hours after we expected to arrive at our rental. AND with Bovri and 5 roses in my suitcase we were likely to survive. From the airport Chris set off with luggage and the girls and I went in a cab. Our first wow was the fact that the driver had his iPhone mounted on the front windscreen close to the drivers door window and he drove with his window down... Welcome to Australia Well we were wowed daily by the beauty, cleanliness and how well everything worked. Government departments and banks were helpful and efficient, things were done while we waited or within days. Centrelink had a few hiccups but hey we we're not complaining!! Remember Aussie efficiency can be costly to us SA chancers... it was within the first few days that my husband got his first parking fine... be vigilant and check the parking signs. All roads are well signposted and well monitored. More recently I was parked in a remote parking area and chose to take a chance and not pay for parking... well that choice cost me $106. Arriving at the end of December was a tricky time to arrive as all the schools were shut and businesses were operating on skeleton staff. We took the opportunity to explore our new home. Using google earth we found little remote beached and adventured to find them. We knew the pressure was on to buy a car, find schools for our girls, find a long term rental and be responsible and look for jobs...hard to know what to prioritise. All I knew as a mom was that the security of my kids were my priority and for once it was not their physical security that I was concerned about. Car was not too much of a hassle, tick... without jobs or schools finding a suburb to look for a rental was difficult. We drove around looking at closed schools and felt more and more anxious. THEN our prayers were answered when we came across a lovely Christian school my sister-in-law in SA mentioned. We were welcomed immediately even with the staff being in meetings and busy with preparing for their new students. We were not considering private schools, we could not afford them AND in SA we were happy with the government schools in our area. This school meant all my girls could be together and that was a big win. With much financial concern we could tick the school box. I think the school welcoming us so warmly was the first bit of home we felt. Now a rental!?!? They do things strangely here.... thats for another post.... I advise you to get rental references, or references from your estate agent saying you paid well and your home was well kept. Being prepared to pay a few month rental upfront helps secure a rental. Rental tick. Just so you are aware rentals are all last minute things, so no preplanning is really possible. We ended up paying double rent the both times we moved to secure the new place. Just prepare for that and if you are lucky enough not having to pay double... bonus. Jobs....??? Well neither off us came with jobs so we started the hunt as soon as we could. My husband was amazing and really put himself out there, but it still took him 5 months to secure a great job. I casually taught from February and then in July I got a 5 month temporary teaching job, which ended in December, so I will have to look again in the next few weeks. Our church and the school have been the biggest points of welcome and its from there we have made the most friends. Again with churches we drove around on Sundays trying out a good few churches, not surprising nothing felt like home.... then finally in the most unlikely place 25 minutes from where we lived we found this amazingly welcoming congregation. The commuting has been the biggest adjustment I think... especially coming from Durban. My girls are not used to their daddy being away 7am to 7pm. After commuting... the next hardest thing... besides missing family and friends is... you guessed it.... housekeeping!!! Our nannies in SA are amazingly wonderful women!!!! So the juggle I face daily is the washing, ironing???, shopping, fetching and carrying, cleaning etc. and SA children are not too helpful!! ?But it is do'able its just so time consuming!!!! So what was hard... being alone for sure...starting over for sure... finding your way around a new place... adjusting to new things in the supermarket, not too bad, especially when you can get lots of SA things if you look for them... only SA bovril is a problem. The lack of great school sport in many schools and no school swimming pools is strange To be honest the hardest thing for me, which may sound strange to many of you, was getting rid of the excess stuff we bought over, or shall I say I bought over. We bought over a 40 foot container, despite what everyone advised I thought I could make it work. Na! The hardest thing for me is that NOBODY wants my excess stuff and we have had to dump it... yes dump... drop off at the dump... lounge suits, book cases, wooden toy furniture. It is heartbreaking since I know people in SA would have done flick flacks for it. So my advise is bring what you can't live without, if you would be happy to replace it sometime soon leave it in SA. They have everything here and people give so much away for free you are unlikely to be stuck without something for long!!! And IKEA is like MR P on steroids so you will be sorted in no time. AND MR P has arrived on Aussie shores!!! What else is hard, knowing regular events are going on without you back in sunny SA... ALSO, dying to comment on something crazy going in SA, but somehow I feel once you fly out your right to a voiced opinion leaves with you. Its hard enjoying your new home knowing people are stuck back 'home'. Its also hard spending capital as you establish yourself again knowing that every R/$ you spend is reducing the deposit you may have for a new home. Watching my husband and girls try establish social circles is heartbreaking too... and in 2016 I will pray for this more than anything else. BUT I can't say I have had one day of regret... honestly I have had hard days, I have had days where I have cried lots but I have not regretted our move. Sydney is beautiful, I did not think anywhere could be as beautiful as CT but Sydney has just wowed me. The outdoor facilities are incredible. Public transport is amazing (if you are from SA). The public health facilities are great, we have not been on a private medical aid all year and we have been fortunate enough to be well looked after, even private doctors consultations are subsidised. The smiles at the checkouts, the helpful shop assistants, the fact that most people can understand you and give you a knowledgeable answer is a lovely change. Ordering Thai or Chinese food still has its challenges though . AND good pizza and good milkshakes are nearly impossible to find!!! BUT the ice cream is fantastic!!! AND honestly the freedom and security is truly liberating. What would have helped me to know before I boarded the plane... Priorities are different here. Education is not everything to everybody and they will still do well in life... a hard one for me. Most kids will not greet you as you walk into their schools and most will not wear their uniforms as you expect them to AND school hair rules... mmm... don't be too shocked!! Homes are not pristine or beautiful as time is precious and modernising your home is so expensive, as labour is so pricey. Loads of people rent homes, and there is a good chance you wont be able to buy for a while... rent until you find an area you love, don't be scared to move. Things are very expensive but just as you did in SA you can feed your families wisely for close to the same price. People do what they say. You are coming to a first world country they have 99.9% of what you will need, adapt from the outset. (12 months later I still have omo and skip from SA and will do for another 6 months... thus the 40 foot container) What do I wish I could get from SA so I did not have to pay huge $'s for here... School shoes... takkies...Swimming costumes... and a house... but since the last is not possible I will stick to my first 3 options. We still have loads to learn, loads to accomplish and many hurdles to overcome but this is now my home and I look forward to the future Aus has to offer my family. So...Enjoy the dinners with friends, the cheap cold drinks, the good pizza and give your family an extra cuddle and come knowing its all very do'able... But come not looking back, make a decision to make it work and give it a full go and I will be surprised if you regret your decision. Oh and one last thing before you go... kiss your nanny and give her a great bonus!!! Edited January 3, 2016 by Crossedover 18 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 3, 2016 Report Share Posted January 3, 2016 Thankyou for this post crossed over. I laughed a few times as I could relate to many things...I too will have Omo for a very long time ? I am very happy to read posts like this especially as we are just starting out here. Thanks for taking the time to update us. All the best to you and your family for 2016. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crossedover Posted January 3, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2016 I do have to remind myself we left the 3rd world (ok dualistic economy for us teachers) and have come to the first world so they will have everything!!!! And when Coles and Woolies here have their weekly 1/2 price deals we really don't have too much to complain about ? So fellow omo 'smuggler' wish you all the best and hope you feel at home here more every day. May 2016 be a good year for you with many happy new memories. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rozellem Posted January 3, 2016 Report Share Posted January 3, 2016 Excuse me if I have asked this before, but where do you guys live in Sydney. Which school did you go for in the end? You can PM me with the answers if you want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crossedover Posted January 3, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2016 (edited) We now live in Forestville and our girls go to Covenant Christian School in Belrose. For others ...It takes them 15 minutes on the (free?) school bus. Happy to answer any questions and help where I can. We have had a year of lots of learning ?... AND no doubt we have lots more to discover xx But looking when you landed ? It's you who can help all of us xxx Edited January 3, 2016 by Crossedover Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mara Posted January 3, 2016 Report Share Posted January 3, 2016 Lovely informative post Crossedover! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donnyvcpt Posted January 3, 2016 Report Share Posted January 3, 2016 Hi Crossedover, What a lovely post! It gives my family and I lots of confidence going forward when we see story's so similar to ours. We arrived in Sydney on the 29th of December and have also been wowed by the beauty and safety. The first night here I decided to take a walk to the 7/11 about a km away from where we're staying at 10.30pm and the only thing I was worried about was spiders lol (I hate spiders). I was so surprised to see ladies walking around on their own at that time of the night. I'm a little stressed out about finding work in Sydney and have just realised that I haven't given myself enough time in our temporary accommodation, but worst case scenario I will have to book another short term rental on airbnb. All the very best to you and your family in the future I hope you secure permanent employment and that your social circles grow and blossom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 4, 2016 Report Share Posted January 4, 2016 7 hours ago, Crossedover said: I do have to remind myself we left the 3rd world (ok dualistic economy for us teachers) and have come to the first world so they will have everything!!!! And when Coles and Woolies here have their weekly 1/2 price deals we really don't have too much to complain about ? So fellow omo 'smuggler' wish you all the best and hope you feel at home here more every day. May 2016 be a good year for you with many happy new memories. The Omo smuggler, I like it, maybe I need to change my username ? Another thing we have in common which I forgot to post about yesterday was regarding commuting. This also has been our biggest adjustment. We are also from Durban so maybe we wouldn't have had this issue if say we lived in Joburg. I have friends and family in Joburg that have to commute an hour each way, but coming from Durban it is not something that we are used to. My husband used to work 10 mins from home worked from 7:30 - 4:30. Was always home on time and had lots of time to spend with our son before his bedtime. Now with the commute he gets home just after 7. So a big adjustment for all of us and yes like you said you have to get used to doing everything yourself and I found initially that it is a really long day. The nice thing though is that we live in a lovely quiet suburb with everything to hand. I really do love it here. ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SurferMan Posted January 4, 2016 Report Share Posted January 4, 2016 @emma.yenkanna My commute now is between 1h10m and 1h45m, but it is still a fraction of what i used to have in SA. Most time in the week I barely saw the kids. Now I have loads of time even on high pressure projects. Glad you are getting your groove on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SML Posted January 4, 2016 Report Share Posted January 4, 2016 Such a lovely post! I can relate on many things! Thanks for keeping us posted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chips Posted January 4, 2016 Report Share Posted January 4, 2016 (edited) Informative and beautiful post, glad you wrote about school shoes and takkies will get a children extra pairs thank you for that. Hope 2016 will be so much better for you and your family, and you also get a full time permanent job Edited January 4, 2016 by Chips Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crossedover Posted January 4, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 4, 2016 Thanks ladies and Gentlemen. Chips, most school shoes here seem to be black lace-ups for both boys and girls. Cheap school shoes from BigW are about $29 and they go up to $100-$120. The $29 did not last my 13 year old daughter 6 months before the entire sole on the one shoe came off. AND good luck for your visa grant, anxious times I know!!! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chips Posted January 4, 2016 Report Share Posted January 4, 2016 Very pricey $100 ? had bought open ones for my daughter will take them back and get the closed laced ones. Thank again for letting me know, the visa is another story all we can do is wait 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rozellem Posted January 4, 2016 Report Share Posted January 4, 2016 Crossedover, I live in Belrose (just off Glen street), I work from home as a hairdresser and go to the lovely Northgate Ministries on Forestway. Shout if you still struggling to find some things locally. I buy school shoes at Shoes and Sox at thd Warringah Mall. My son likes the all black " tekkies" by Newbalance. They are velcro and about $70, so soft and looks smart too. They have a reward card system at the shop too. Lots of the girls wear the open (Mary Janes?) around us. He goes to Wakhurst Public and we are very impressed. There is even ex Covenant kids at the school. I am visiting RSA at the moment, but happy to meet you for a coffee when the school goes back. I really love Forestville, good choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rozellem Posted January 4, 2016 Report Share Posted January 4, 2016 Pizza: We LOVE the thin, woodfired pizzas from Burrosos in North Bridge (South African owened). Order the Porcapeppa one with peppadews on, to die for. Otherwise I make wholemeal dough in the Thermomix (2mins) and make our own on very hot pizza stone in the oven. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crossedover Posted January 5, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 5, 2016 Yes we love our home made Thermomix pizzas ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aappolis Posted January 7, 2016 Report Share Posted January 7, 2016 i LOVE your post! We are leaving in 2 weeks time and i started feeling anxious and even overwhelmed by the amount of planning still required. I am now going to take a breather and enjoy the last few weeks with family etc knowing that everything will fall into place and even if it doesnt, thats ok too! Have a blessed 2016 and please keep us updated. Althea 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pell Posted January 8, 2016 Report Share Posted January 8, 2016 (edited) We landed on the same day, 27 Dec 2014. Things started out pretty ok, with some hiccups, but which put my husband off almost immediately.... I started work two weeks after landing, and by that time we had secured a rental, bought a car and done most of the admin required. My daughter cried every day for a month until she started school, when she started making friends immediately, so that has helped somewhat. What has not helped is that, for the first 8 months, I was the sole income earner as my husband, an engineer, could not find work. To this day, he works in customer services and has not secured a job in his field - at least it's a job, but he does not enjoy it, as it's well below his level, and is quite bitter because of that. Staying home for a long time, doing domestic tasks (except for cooking, which he refuses to do), has not been good for him, or our marriage. It has not helped that I am doing well in my job, and have recently been promoted, plus I'm absolutely rubbish at boosting his ego or generally being supportive apparently.... I've insisted he join soccer clubs and social soccer, and that has probably been our saving grace. My daughter still has not adapted 100%, she says that in spite of making good friends and getting on well at school, she does not feel like Australia is home. She is 17 and we moved at a very difficult time in her life. Still, having freedom of movement, getting a part time job and earning money has been good for her. She is doing her HSC this year, so another challenge, which I hope will keep her mind off her longing for SA.... I literally don't have the time to ask myself what or how I feel, because in between working long hours, travelling and housework, I hardly have any time to decompress. I keep telling myself that as soon as my husband gets another job, I am hiring help... What I find funny is that when I travel and fly back 'home', it's Sydney I come home to, not SA. Is this home yet for me? Have not stopped to think about it - but then again, wherever I have a roof over my head and my family is, that's my home. Edited January 8, 2016 by Pell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shellfish Posted January 9, 2016 Report Share Posted January 9, 2016 Advertise your stuff on gumtree for free to collect and believe me, people will come and collect it. Target do leather school shoes - velcro and laceup for about $30. They are fine and lasted my son last year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedPanda Posted January 11, 2016 Report Share Posted January 11, 2016 Thanks for the post @Crossedover, I really enjoyed reading it. And will take the 'leave your baggage at home' warning to heart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweepea Posted January 12, 2016 Report Share Posted January 12, 2016 aah. what a great post. Thank you so much for sharing and about not taking such a lot over. Im also thinking about what to leave and its amazing how we get so attached to stuff. Why the loads of Omo tho? we don't even have a visa grant yet but just scouting for ideas. Still putting off looking at what property prices go for in NSW as we love our home and that's 1 of the things im not looking forward to - is being cramped in a tiny house. But we will make it all work once we are there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DXB2OZ Posted January 14, 2016 Report Share Posted January 14, 2016 Fabulous post. Kids who have grown up with home help simply aren't "domesticated", but the improvement levels can be amazing. We started with a few small tasks, adding something new every few weeks. I still need to ask (aka nag), but the improvement is amazing - it is down to you to drive it. Pretty hard when you ae knackered and it is quicker to do it yourself, but worth it. Just back (and duly jet lagged) from SA and very happy that we absolutely made the right decision - wouldn't change a thing. Except not winning the lottery - would change that if I could ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SurferMan Posted January 15, 2016 Report Share Posted January 15, 2016 @Pell, Sorry to hear hubby is having a hard time of it. maybe he needs a kick in the @ss to cook. Glad you are making a good go of it and that you are sticking to the plan. Well done! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qwerty Posted January 15, 2016 Report Share Posted January 15, 2016 @Pell You can only do what you can and, yes, you should be supportive of your husband. However, at some point he has to take responsibility for his own feelings/actions/emotions. Emotions are energy in motion - only you can choose where you will be directing that energy - either positive or negative. I have a constant battle trying to convince loved ones that their attitude determines their level of success (although I know it is up to them to realise that, I still try ). If you believe you can't, then you've chosen not to - it's as simple as that. No one has ever gotten anywhere with a 'the world is against me'/'it's not fair'/'add any other negative perception here' attitude. Opportunities present themselves when you change the glasses with which you view your world. [End of sermon directed at your husband who will probably never read this] 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedPanda Posted January 15, 2016 Report Share Posted January 15, 2016 Sorry this is pet peeve of mine. You are welcome to skip it, if you've heard the subject flogged to death. I have some difficulty understanding why some people choose to assign non-gender specific tasks to a gender??? (I know how it happens: social conditioning, from day 1.) But it boggles my mind why people don't start thinking about life critically the moment they are able to. It helps that my whole family (on all sides, including in-laws) has the same kind of approach: my aunt welds and does her share of home improvements, her husband did his share of taking care of their kids, my dad sews, my husband cooks and if things break around the house I fix them. None of these tasks need a man/woman specifically to do them, so why attach a gender? If you like doing something then do it, if you don't then negotiate around not doing it, but don't use "that's a task for a man/woman" as an excuse. The best way I saw this summed up was in a joke poster about childrens toys: How to know if a toy is suitable for a little boy, or a little girl? Do you operate the toy with your genitals? Yes- This is NOT a toy for children!!! No- This toy is suitable for a boy or a girl. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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