HELLO From New Zealand

Buffythedebtslayer

Hello chev

so things are a bit !!!! eh?

hmmmmm.

I wouldn't go to the wedding, mainly cos it is too easy to pop over to England and then accidently stay!

I do agree with the others about things being crap here. no jobs, EVERYTHING is expense. it is ridiculous. buying a house, hmm. well that is interesting! (and taking me ages!).

Could your hubby get a job here?
Why did you move in the first place?
What has changed?


I really think something has to change - you cannot say you havent tried in NZ you really have worked you !!!! off looking for work getting the boys to do stuff, you are working really hard - the reason why they have settled in so well is because of you!

In your position I would fancy Australia, their ecomony is in a better state. How hard would it be? Could you and hubby get a job there? Is it realistic to think you could up sticks and go there?

how easy would it be to suggest any of this to hubby? don't answer this on here but are you guys still solid and ok to have these discussions?

you do have options it is just hard to see them when you are underneath everything and at the moment that is were you are.

You will come out of this Chev. You will find a way.

Love Buffy xx

chevalier

Sort out car insurance
[STRIKE]Sort out house insurance[/STRIKE] Was actually the cheapest to stay where we are.
Wrap present and write card and letter done
Cuddle bunny done
Do chicken stew for tonight. done was a bit bland though
Try and write something for my course even if it is rubbish.
Finish baby blanket
Watch olympics
Re photograph stuff for trademe.
Post parcel off yes
Sort out Ds1 orthotic inserts for his shoes.
Sort out DS1 glasses.

So not too bad really.

Woke up Tuesday morning and sat up in bed. Cue agony from my back. Don't know what I did but it really hurt. Luckily later on in the day I heard a definite 'click' from my back, and all bearable again. But I hope it isn't a sign that another part of my spine is starting to have a problem.

Did do some bits of my list but I have added to the bottom. Things I should have done ages ago. Sigh. But I must get it done, as OH has forgotten it is even needed.

The insurance threw up that I REALLY need to get my rings valued, as the insurance company won't accept a valuation done in a foreign currency:mad:. I know it is due to currency fluctuations but even so.....

Buffy you are so right. I am not sure if I was feeling in April how I am feeling now, whether I would come back from the wedding.

I have talked to OH about going to Australia, but I don't think he thought I was serious. I will have to talk to him again about it.

chev

HappyNow

Really sorry to hear you're feeling down. I've lived within a ten mile radius of my current home all my life so I'm really not qualified to offer any advice, but I just wanted you to know that I'm wishing the best for you. And make sure you take plenty of pain relief for your back - physical pain always makes a situation harder to cope with x

Almo

Hello

I just stumbled across your thread and have read the last few pages. Forgive me for what I have undoubtedly missed - I clearly don't know almost anything about your situation so take my post with a whole heap of salt.

My partner and I emigrated to Australia 5 years ago. It's a great place but it is struggling too - everywhere is. Yes, it is doing better than elsewhere but it's tough, as a new migrant, to break in. Australia is very keen on Australian experience and I'm sure you can see the issue there...

Just a note on unemployment too - to be counted as employed here you have to work one or two (can't remember which) hours per fortnight. Stats can be v misleading.

I don't mean to put a downer on things and make it all worse, you might very well know an awful lot about Australia's economy and the job market and I've just bumbled in to a thread I haven't even read fully. If you'd like any practical info I'd be happy to help (am in Melbourne).

Buffythedebtslayer

Hey Chev, just checking in saying hi and making sure you are ok

xx

chevalier

Hi Buffy et al, I have not been great to be honest. About 2 weeks ago I sat up in bed, and got a terrible pain in my upper back. Real agony. About 48 hours later, there was a click in my back and the pain eased. Phew I thought, and carried on. Then the same thing happened a week later, even more pain, and pain down my right arm too.

Tried to get through with pain killers for a week, but it got no better so off to the Drs. He has given me anti imflamatories for a month! At the same time I also talked to him about the pain in my heels, and he has confirmed it is plantar fasciatis (sp). I have some exercises to do and it 'might' come right by xmas :eek::eek::eek:! Just one thing after another really. I haven't slept properly for two weeks. Funnily enough it isn't the back that is waking me up but the referred pain down my arm that is doing it. Sigh.

Still no job yet. I have incorporated some of Wordsmiths ideas into my cv, and am trying to tailor each one for each application. But still nothing. I can't believe I am unemployable, and the cynical part of me does wonder if my nationality is the problem.....

One plus of the back pain, is OH has HAD to step up to the plate around the house a bit as I can't physically do some things at the moment (though the meds are helping). So my car got cleaned inside and out over the weekend cos the boys wanted to do it for me. Don't think OH was too happy, but tough he needs to help me more anyway. I know he works, but how are we going to manage when I do get a job?

The boys are doing ok I guess. We are just trying to sort out the next stage of DS1's schooling at the moment. The two local colleges don't have very good results, but one is where his friends are going and the other is within walking distance of our current home. There is a third one further away, with much better reputation, but he would need to bus it, and none of his friends would be going there:(.

So how do you weigh it up? I have explained that it is often the case that you leave primary school friends behind when you change schools, but he was so unsettled when we moved here, that I have to take that into account too...

I just want to catch a break in ONE area of my life. I am sure that once one thing is sorted, then other things will start to come together too... But as it stands I feel very stuck.

Almo thanks for your comments. I think the thing about Australia is that it would be a fresh start. You get to paint yourself anew, if you know what I mean. I know I wasn't at my best when we first moved here as I was still recovering from PND. And of course first impressions stick....
chev

beanielou

Sorry things are so tough at the moment.
Keep plodding is all I can say xx

Keiss_21

Oh chev, I do feel for you...if its not one thing, it's another...lots of (gentle) ((((hugs)))) x

If you can possibly get yourself to a chiropractor, then do so. I suffered many years of back pain before I went to one (I broke it 29 years ago and have had numerous problems over the years). Now if I get a twinge, I head for him before seeing the doc. and he usually sorts it quickly and drug-free!! Mine is a McTimoney chiropractor, which is apparently more gentle than other ones. I have had all of my family see him over the years, as well as a few friends, so glad we have him nearby.

As for the kids, you'll never stop worrying about them. You want the best education for them, but sometimes that isn't the best for them at the time. As my 11 year old niece (who missed out on getting to a grammar school by 2 streets!!) says, "If you are prepeared to work, you can manage anywhere". Such wise words from a young lass!! Good luck with your boys.

Also good luck with the job-hunting, but try concentrating on getting better first if you can xxx

chevalier

I am a 'little' better, I can now type without shooting bolts of agony down my arm. The doctor was right about massaging the spot on my back til it was unbearable, Unfortunately I can't do it myself, so have to rely on OH. Who isn't around much to do the deed!

So I think I will book a physio session and let a professional work on it.

My DS still has this horrible cough. The first lot of steroids did nothing. The second Dr thought it might be whooping cough:eek::eek::eek:

Apparently the vaccination can wear off. Something I didn't know. And in the school news letter today, it said that there were two confirmed cases of it at school already! So we have had the test done today. Not the nicest, you have to have a swap stuck 'right' up both nostrils.

I have put in for a couple of jobs. I just want an interview. Then at least I will know that my cv is getting some attention. At the moment I can't judge whether it is any good or not. Although I suppose if I am not getting any interviews, then I guess that means it isn't very good.

Ho hum. I keep it to two pages, and have put skill sets in with examples. But I think what is probably doing me down is that my last jobs were management level, and the jobs I am applying for are not. I am guessing people just mark me over qualified, or only looking for something for now until something better comes along.

So I am wondering how to write a covering letter that says that I don't want management work any more without being that bald about it...

Any ideas appreciated.
chev

urg123

Hi Chev,

Sorry to read that it has been tough. When do you hear about your son? Whooping cough sounds scary!

Re the job search. A couple of suggestions that may help although you have ed probably thought of these already! Is there and equivalent of a job centre there? Is it possible to arrange to get them to look through your CV? They may be able to give you some advice that is specific to the local market. I think your suggestion of a cover letter is a good idea - it gives you the chance to explain your current circumstances while highlighting your relevant skills.

Finally, what are the chances of you being able to take up a temp job through an agency. Getting a few weeks of local experience may help with the CV and may even open some doors.

Sending you lots of get well vibes for your back.

Urg