HELLO From New Zealand

chevalier

Hi everyone back again.

This will be a long post and a bit ranty in places so sorry in advance.

So I applied for the job with the health board. But didn't get it which is a pain. Still on the other hand I have potentially found a degree course which i would love to do here
http://www.aut.ac.nz/study-at-aut/study-areas/sciences/qualifications/undergraduate/bachelor-of-applied-science-health-protection

or this one

http://www.aut.ac.nz/study-at-aut/study-areas/sciences/qualifications/undergraduate/bachelor-of-applied-science-environmental-science

They would both build on my diploman in pollution control that I got when in the UK. I just have to find out if either of them can be done part time, or perhaps if they are full time, when the lectures are. If they were all on 3 days or so (doubtful), then maybe I could wangle child care.... Don't know on my list to do today... GULP.

I really want to do this. But full time it is 3 years. I guess I should ask if I can change to full time from part time, when the boys are both at secondary school (4 years time so maybe in time to do year 3 full time?)

How was the holiday. Well I learned alot. For example that my children are too high maintenance to not have access to washing machines/tumble dryers at camp sites. That nice showers are a godsend. So if we were going to do this on our own we would opt for sites with amenities..

We covered ALOT of ground. So we saw tasters of a lot of places. But on another occasion we would have wanted to stay in one place for more than one night. Putting up and taking down tents takes A LONG TIME with small children. And this was a factor in us not getting so many walks as had been planned.

I would emphasise that NONE OF THIS was the guides fault. He was absolutely fab, a veritable treasure trove of information about the areas we were going through, as well as a great teller of funny stories. He was VERY patient with my two DS's, and a great cook. He was also a life saver as he told us about the right sort of insect suncreen that stopped us getting eaten alive from sand flies bluegh

It was just from my point of view that we asked to do more than we actually could cope with. I came back from holiday absolutely shattered and was going to bed virtually at the same time as the boys for the first couple of night back.

As for the trip wow, the scenery is literally breath taking. So many many sites. Between us OH and I took nearly 1000 photos, and not many of them were duds either. Marlborough (where you come in with the ferry to Picton is so so so beautiful that it made me want to cry at the sight of it!

So the next time we go to South Island we will probably just have a base or maybe two and go out from there.

chev

chevalier

Still we got a great flavour of the part of the South Island that we went to. The boys had a great time (especially after we banned the electronics that we had bought with us during the day). They made camp friends at each of the sites pretty much that we stayed at and had a whale of a time, just playing on the playgrounds with the other kids, with us NOT supervising them. And I had no parents over to complain about them, so I guess they were pretty good PHEW.

My mum on the other hand. SIGH. Now don't get me wrong, I love my mum, and I know I should be pleased that she is still here and a part of my life, especially as my dad is distant at best. BUT she was a real pain on several occasions on the trip, over really petty thing. And like oh come on I am coping with 2 kids I don't need you behaving pettily too. Aaaagh. She wants to come out to live here permanently. And you know what I am dreading it I really am. Because the first thing that will happen is that she will want to stay with us ' whilst she is finding her own place'. And I just know that it will drag on and on and on. Because really she wants to live with us. Well this holiday has underlined for me that that is a BIG NO NO. Even my OH who normally just ignores it all was getting ticked off by her.

She always wants to be OUT every day at least twice a day. Because she has claustrophobia or something. This can get really wearing when you have got a days worth of something to do in the house. She has had to learn that if she wants to go out there is nothing stopping her, but that I can't just join her EVERY morning and afternoon EVERY DAY I mean 7 days a week. My house would be a tip for a start.:mad::mad::mad:Then she goes on about the boys being outside with her.

What she forgets is that during term time they do sport or some other activity 6 days out of 7 pretty much what with actual games or training for games. So when the holidays come round they are pretty knackered and want to chill. Hell the last 4 weeks of last term, I think they had time on a wii or a computer about twice they were that busy. And then she has a go cos they are inside playing on the wii on a beautiful day - forgetting that they haven't been doing that all term.....

I know part of this is a generational thing. And don't get me wrong we do do a lot of things with her, but it is the incessant having to be out that really gets me down and irritated with her. And to be honest by the end of her stay here I am glad she is going. SIGH.

Sorry to be such a winge. But there is no one I can talk to about this here. It is good to get it off my chest. OH understands and I think he is ready for a break too now. It makes me not want to sort out her immigration stuff though - something I have to do as I have to sponsor her.....

Still she is good to the boys, and she is my mum. I just wish she wasn't so needy. That is really what it boils down to. She had a wonderful second husband in my step dad, and he was taken from her in a swimming accident 10 years ago. She has never got over it (but also won't go for counselling about it) and she has become very focussed on us. To the extent that she hasn't seen other family in the UK for ages. She always says she will phone and arrange a visit, and then the next time we see her (and at least 6 months have gone by), she still hasn't done it:mad::mad:. This is not only a pain for me, but it unfair on the other family who have (amittedly older) children, who she doesn't see....


and breathe. She flies back on the 11th and sadly I am counting down the days, that I have to try and keep my temper for. And she will be counting down the day to coming back.......

Told you it would be a bit ranty......
chev

chevalier

Have been feeling that my non activity on here has meant that things are drifting a bit. You only have to look at lula hula clothes challenge to see I have been a bit spendy. Problem is that alot of my clothes are wearing out at the same time......or is that just a justification.

Still I was made up the other day as I got a size12 school fleece for $3 (normal cost $45) and a wetsuit for $8 (normal price $70 and upwards) in the local op shop. Result!

So a list

1) Housework
2) Plant potatoes
3) Sew two badges on DS1's scout top
4) Put some elastic in DS1's new school trousers.
5) Trade me for clothes listing.
6) Look online for jobs
7) Follow up about environmental courses
8) Keep the swimming up.
9) keep an eye on homework to make sure I know what both DS's have to do.
10) Have discussion with deputy head.
11) Input receipts.

Also does anyone know anything about the DORE programme the new zealand site is here https://www.dore.co.nz. But it is a british scheme for people with learning disabilities. Would love to hear from anyone with any experience of it. I will put up a question on the diaries page directing them to here I think. Though maybe do it tomorrow your time, when people are waking up.

chev

taxi73

Sounds like the holiday was good over all and the kids enjoyed it.
Mums...mmm..can't answer that one but sounds like you've had your work cut out.If she lived over there I don't think she'd be wanting to go out twice a day..shes probablyin holiday mode when she comes to yours now.If she lived over there she could look after the kids whilst you went to uni as well...

EssexHebridean

Ummm...you might find THIS LINK of interest Chev....:o Looks like it may not be an organisation you want to be investing any hard-earned in.....

EssexHebridean

Taxi's made a good point there about your Mum being in holiday mode when she's visiting you, the wanting to get out and about would be lessened if she was there permanently. It's a tricky one for you, that I can really see - it sounds like your Mum has been through a tough time losing someone she thought she was going to spend the rest of her life with....now, in a way, she has lost you guys too with you being so far away. I think very few people of the sort of age I assume her to be would go down the route of counselling either - I know my Aunt was offered cpounselling when my Uncle died and she wouldn't even consider it - was quite affronted at the suggestion of talking through her private business with a stranger.....

I wish you luck in resolving the situation. As for the next few days until she goes, remember how much you were looking forward to seeing her before her arrival, and how much you will miss her when she has gone back. Maybe plan something special for one day over the weekend but make clear that you won't be available to go out and about with her all the time on her last few days?

chevalier

EssexHebridean wrote: »

Ummm...you might find THIS LINK of interest Chev....:o Looks like it may not be an organisation you want to be investing any hard-earned in.....

Hi EH thanks for the link. I do wonder what has happened in the last 3 years though? But will investigate further. There were two people at the seminar who had gone through the programme one as a client and one who was the mum of a client. What they said was so positive about how it had turned their (or their sons) life around.... bum

ref my mum I wouldn't mind if she wanted to go to a specific interesting place, but she just wants to walk aimlessy about. Not my cup of tea at all.
chev

EssexHebridean

chevalier wrote: »

Hi EH thanks for the link. I do wonder what has happened in the last 3 years though? But will investigate further. There were two people at the seminar who had gone through the programme one as a client and one who was the mum of a client. What they said was so positive about how it had turned their (or their sons) life around.... bum

ref my mum I wouldn't mind if she wanted to go to a specific interesting place, but she just wants to walk aimlessy about. Not my cup of tea at all.
chev

Ahhh - no, wouldn't be mine, either!

chevalier

EH thanks for the information about DORE. We will discuss it and see where we want to go from there....

1) Housework despite being knackered i still managed to change the bedding, wash, and dry it and put it away for 3 beds.
2) Plant potatoes
3) Sew two badges on DS1's scout top
4) Put some elastic in DS1's new school trousers.
5) Trade me for clothes listing.
6) Look online for jobs found a potential job. will try and find my resume again, but my computer is playing up
7) Follow up about environmental courses
8) Keep the swimming up. went today with the boys, DS1 reluctantly did some lengths with me, but it was good he did any as he was still awake at 11.30 last night:eek: too hot here.
9) keep an eye on homework to make sure I know what both DS's have to do. ds2 has a chart to do, ds1 had a bit of homework but not much yet, will follow up with teacher.
10) Have discussion with deputy head. she has said this week
11) Input receipts.

In other news DS1 managed to swim the 200 metres and do the treading water for a minute for his patch. He just took a minute longer than the maximum. but considering last week he only managed to swim half of it I AM SO PROUD OF HIM. And he is very proud of himself too. I also managed to log into an opinion account that I hadnt for a while, and managed to order a £10 voucher!! woop woop
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EssexHebridean

Yay for DS1 - he's doing brilliantly isn't he - such an improvement in a short space of time too, well done him!

Well done you too - that's a good start you've made on your list.