jac2011

Lovely update, if you get chance keep them coming! Glad your settling in well, its a little frustrating that WA weather didn't realise you were due to arrive and turn the thermostat up :-). Iv never heard anyone say they were so cold on arrival in Australia, especially before they have acclimatised. It certainly does make you think. I'm sure you will soon be telling us how hot you are though! Take care and well done and doing everything so successfully, Ill be happy if I only get half the interest in employment you are getting. Julie

So happy for you, have a lovely time. Looking forward to hearing how things go! x

Oh Bean, I understand how you are feeling. My auntie got told in October and we were close, she died in March. In a way, she was able to spend so much time with her children and grandchildren, went to Halloween parties, had an amazing Christmas and had so much support (apart from her husband walking out on her the day she got her terminal lung cancer diagnosis) that when she passed, unexpectedly in March from a short spell of illness I felt calm rather than upset. She could have suffered so much more and I felt the anger and the torment was more for her whilst she was alive. I don't know how I would feel in that situation so to know she passed peacefully felt nice. Life will throw us all ups and downs, we don't live forever and we all have to live our lives in the short space we have. xx

I suppose your dream wasn't living in the city in an apartment block, think of it as a little holiday. I am sure the excitement will come when you start building your life, looking at homes and schools. That's what your dream is about. I bet your tired, emotional, and overwhelmed by anything. Just give the boys a hug and relax x

Wow, I have to say that for some reason this thread has made me more emotional than anything I have ever read in my 6 years of browsing these forums! I am still 477 days away but the tears were flowing listening to you describing your children hugging and all your goodbyes. I am not even particularly close to my parents and I have lived away from my friends for 3 years but OMG I am dreading the good byes. I think you managed it fantastically. Looking forward to hearing your arrival report xx

Iv been looking at Malaysian airlines and seeing whether we could have a stopover in Malaysia instead. 4 nights at the LEGOLAND hotel incl park passes was just over £400. Seems a bargain, though I don't know if it will be relaxing lol. Malaysia seems far cheaper.

I am the same with 3 children, whenever I look for good stopovers they seem to be so expensive as we need 2 hotel rooms! Wow I didn't know there was a LEGOLAND hotel in Malaysia, I will now nip off to take a peep x

Would it be something similar to this for the elderly in the UK: http://www.wiltshirefarmfoods.com/caring?gclid=CKH_gK6v770CFUoCwwoddyIAzw I know lots of people with elderly relatives (with or without dementia) buy these to stop their relatives having to cook and to ensure they are getting a good meal. I can see that this is practical however, for the price of a meal I would never consider it for myself... I have always wondered, however why there wasn't healthier options with takeaways, such as a drive through Diner offering healthy options instead of your usual fatty and salty meals.

I always have a mini wobble each Spring, the UK is lovely on a warm spring day - lush and green and everyone is so happy to see the sunshine again after all this time! However, as soon as the summer kicks in and every weekend seems to rain we soon realise what we are doing and why we are doing it! No where will be perfect but you will suit one more than the other. Is it better to live your life and try things or to stay safe and have regrets?

Good Luck with everything! I am sure you have so much to get ready for I am sure June will be here before you know it! Exciting times ahead! x

Think of the valuable lesson you are teaching your family... Anything is possible, when you put your mind to it!

Congratulations!!! Looks like a pretty good score too!

Wow exciting, I have my fingers crossed tightly for you!

Some great thoughts here, thanks everyone!

That's why I posted, its just people quoting rumours and not only scares off posters, but also the many other people who use this forum for advice but never post.

We bought a ROKU a month ago and got rid of Sky altogether, we are a family of 5 with children 10,8 and 3 and we haven't missed it one bit. Plus at the mo (don't know if it will change in the future) we no longer have to pay Tv licence either as its not live TV. £40 a month saved on tv licence and our Sky package. Although we do spent £5pm on Lovefilm or Now TV or Netflix depending on what series we are watching at the time. The ROKU was the best out when we bought it from reviews, however I think the new googlechrome is out and that's slightly cheaper. I am also meal planning monthly now. I do 4 weeks worth of meal plans. I do a huge shop in Tesco for basics, pasta, rice, cereal, nuts, etc. I do a big shop in farmfoods for meats, chips, bread and milk (although I top this up every week) and then I save £10-£20 to go to local greengrocers. We are a family of 5 and our food bill works out £65pw including toiletries etc and treats. We are also eating healthier than ever. This also includes packed lunches for 4.

Oh I am so sorry, I hope this does not cause you any hassle. Not very nice of him to tell you at this point. I wonder if you can get some advice from one of these telephone legal advice companies? Would your solicitor not be bound to keep it to herself, surely her role is to protect you?

Looking forward to getting more fitter, being able to go for a run or a bike ride without feeling too cold. Investing in Kayaks for all the family, rather than thinking they are too expensive as it rains all the time here! Getting the kids in a surf club and seeing them have fun. Watching them gain confidence in the water. Having a healthy glow from the sun tan rather than looking pale and ill all the time. Starting my career in Australia, working hard. Watching my husband pursue a career he is interested in because on my salary alone we can survive.

JKM where did you hear that AHPRA are looking for Degree registered nurses only? A UK registered diploma nurse is equivalent to a Australian degree registered nurse. I know there were rumours a few weeks ago that this may be the move AHPRA are making however I don't think this decision has been made. Simply there are more criteria that need to be evidenced such as more specific guidelines in meeting pharmacology etc. If you have evidence that discounts that please share it with me, but I wouldn't want lots of Diploma registered nurses being put off.

Also as you are 27, remember there is the working holiday visa but that depends on whether you want to make this a short term move or a more permanent one. A WHV is valid for up to 2 years (if you do some regional work in the first year) however, it is not permanent. It is cheaper and quicker to go for a WHV or a 457 (if you can get sponsorship) however if you want to live permanently in Australia then you are best looking at a permanent visa. Train2Gap have some good advice and webinars with lots of info. Healthcare Australia have lots of info on the working holiday visas and agency work.

Good Luck!

Lovely to hear you had a good time, Good luck with the IELTS test. I think we all have little hickups along the way. I am sure you will be fine xx

Can anyone advise whether the current deal prices for hotels are available? I am finding the stopover prices through the airlines expensive?

Semtosa Island looks amazing!!! I would love to stay there for a few days on the way over!

I just passed my first assignment of my third year of uni and got 72%... So pleased with myself as in theory this is the level of a first... However, my poor results from last year will counterbalance that but I have proven to myself that with time and effort I can do well! 1 step closer to Oz :-) Just 3 more to go this year!