Merry Christmas!

Well Merry Christmas to everyone and we all hope and wish that you all have a wonderful day and for those of you already at the end of the day we all hope that you had a great day!

We were at home last night and I cooked a roast meal and got us all around the table eating dinner for once in our lives. Heath put on some Xmas music which the kids loved and of course had a little dance. After dinner the kids had a bit of fun playing (or should I say jumping off the couches) flying through the air. Then after all of the fun we had to get Santa's drink and biscuits ready so that he would no leave our house hungry or thirsty. Of yes and how can I forget Reece had drawn a picture for Santa as well so that had to be setup against the tree.

Amazingly enough they were fast asleep within 15 minutes of being put to bed and thank goodness for that as Santa still had to wrap their pressies (wink! wink!). So we went to bed early as we knew it would be an early start.

Our Xmas morning started at around 6:30am with Bryce talking in his room and we tried to convince him to go back to sleep but he would not have it. Reece then woke up around 6:45am to let us know that there was a big surprise in the lounge and we must come quick. They were very happy that Santa had eaten all of his biscuits and water. (Sorry Santa but times are tough and Reece says that you have to drink something healthy so you got water this year). They then opened all of their pressies.

We are off to friends of ours today to have a prawn braai and hopefully the kids get to swim but the weather is not the best today, but the sun is trying to peep its head out so maybe it will get better.

Well have a wonderful Xmas and hope that you all get a chance to relax and enjoy the day!

Merry Xmas!

Cheers

Nicky, Heath, Reece & Bryce

PS. There is a link to the right wiith some more pics of the kids on Xmas morning.

Home Again

Just a quick one to say it is so nice (in fact fantastic) to be home again with Heath and the boys. When they came to fetch me from the airport they both took at little while to realise that it was their mom walking towards them but did not take them long before they realised they then both ran into my arms.

Then the fighting started on who was going to sit on moms lap first but now that I have been home for a couple of days the novelty has worn off. I cannot believe in the 3 weeks I have been away how Bryce's speech has improved. It still takes me back a bit to realise how much he has changed in the 3 weeks. As Reece is a bit older he has not changed as such but is very aware of where I am all of the time and he keeps on coming up to me and giving me a hug and saying "I love you mom! And I love you lots! We missed you mom while you were in Australia!". My heart just melts each and every time he says it.

Heath has been such an angel cooking me dinner every night and still carrying on with his normal daily duties of looking after the boys and making sure that they are sorted. It is so great to see! Love him stax for this.

Very happy signing off!
Cheers
N

Visa approved!

Wow today is a good day - Heath and the kids visas have been approved so now the serious planning starts!

Very good for me as it means I do not have to wait toooooooo long after I come back to Perth after Xmas, well hopefully not tooooooo long.

Very happy signing off :)
Cheers
N

Another week in Perth!

Well another week in Perth – not as busy as the first week but just as eventful. I have got the whole travel thing on buses to work and back well organised now and get good exercise as I have a little bit of a walk to the bus stop from work but all good. I went into Perth city centre on Wednesday for a Xmas function it was really great to meet all of the people that I have been dealing with over the phone and got to meet them all face to face.

I have been able to open a bank account, get an Australian mobile sim card and get my bus pass sorted this week so I was really happy to get that all sorted. I was very happy to find that to open a bank account was very easy, not really much hassle at all. Very different to SA in the sense that there is no status on your bank account – you get a bank account for what you need and that is that – so I did not even have to prove that I was working but then again my working visa is sort of a give away!

On Saturday my boss Rob picked me up at the apartment so that I could meet his wife and kids and they also wanted to use the time to explain a little more about Perth and how it operates. They have two girls both still at primary school and they mentioned to me that life in Perth is very different if you have kids. They took me to a small restaurant at City Beach – houses start in the area for around $1 million – so way out of my league. It is an area on the coast but also has a beach that is great for little kids. Again there are park areas for the kids to play plus beach activities. Each of the various beaches has their own life saving clubs and alot of the people have mentioned that for boys it is great for them to get involved in life saving clubs as it teaches them discipline, so we will look into this when the little ones are over here.

After lunch they drove me around the various areas West of Perth. It is an older area with bigger properties and more like what I am used to seeing at home in SA. I was also shown quite a few of the various schools in the areas so that I could get an idea of what was about. This is definitely the area that we will be looking for somewhere to stay. It is close to the centre of Perth but far enough out that you do not feel like you are in the city. There are parks everywhere and being Saturday everyone was out and about playing sport of some kind. I even saw some youngsters playing bowls! The kids get to try anything here and if they like it they get to play more. They do not pressurise the kids in primary school into 1st team/2nd team for any of the sports. All kids get an opportunity to play anything and everything that is offered until they find something they really like to play. In high school they get a bit more competitive.

There are basically 3 types of schools here i.e. state schools, catholic schools and private schools. The state schools are run by the government, the catholic schools are private schools but are subsidised by the state and then private are not subsidised in any way i.e. looking at anything from $15000 a year upwards. I don’t feel like working for the rest of my life just to pay for schooling so my kids will be going to state schools or catholic schools. Again it is not so important when they are in primary school but it gets important for high school. So anyway after the great tour I was feeling much better about life in Perth. It really helps to get a local view on everything.

Today they took me out to Kings Park for a picnic. Kings Park is a huge botanical garden and park in the city of Perth. It is huge! The views are very good as you get a full view of Perth from the park. It was really hot today and so many families were out and about having picnics on the grass areas. There is so much shade that you do not need to fight for space as the park is huge. They have even divided one section of the park for the smaller kids i.e. the play areas are suited for the smaller kids. Then there are other areas for the bigger kids. It reminded me a bit of the Kirstenbosch botanical gardens and this was all for FREE!!!!

So all in all after this week-end I am feeling much better on life in Perth as it looks like the boys will all settle in here fine. I have even told Heath that he will get the opportunity to get back into playing a bit of cricket himself as there are cricket clubs in all areas and apparently they are always looking for people to come and play. Heath and I will get more involved with the kids because in a way you are actually forced to get involved so that can only be positive.

Still have to upload my pictures and will hopefully do that soon.

Cheers
N

More of Oz!

Well over the last two days I have seriously tested the public transport and must say it works and it works well. On Monday I plotted a route to work and home with no problems to report. Today I had to find a way back home from Perth City centre and again I was very successful so it really does work! Wow the city centre is beautiful! So clean and fresh! I was not in the city for long but I was on the 42nd floor of the main office building with a view across to Freemantle Harbour and around. I wish I had my camera to take a picture but then again not sure how I would have taken a picture of such a panoramic view. Still not as beautiful as Cape Town though! Looks like we have lots of exploring to do around the city but I will leave that for another day.

One thing I can say is that you have to have LOTS of patience here in Perth. Everything happens very slowly.... I don’t think I have been to one meeting yet were we start on time everyone is still walking in 5 minutes after it should have started. They are all quite happy to queue up for something with no stress at all! If you see someone rushing about you immediately know they are not a local! I was taken to the bank today to open up an account and as we walked in the queue was nearly out the door but there was not one stressed face around – everyone takes it in their stride!!!! So lots of getting used to for me as I am so used to rushing about for anything and everything! Plus they take family life VERY seriously, as most people are finished work by 4:30pm. I came back from a meeting yesterday @ 4:30pm and when I got back into the office it was empty! – this is a SAP project I thought and there is nobody around at 4:30pm (including all project managers had gone home!!!!!). As I got home I saw a family across the road (at around 6:00pm) all getting ready for their usual afternoon cycle around the park. What a life!

So all in all my experience of Perth has been a positive one with not too many hassles.......

First Weekend in Perth!

First Week end in Perth was very relaxing!

Saturday 6th December – Well I eventually dragged myself out of bed at around 10am in the morning. I was supposed to get to a bank but decided my sleep was more important. One issue here is that most branches of the banks are closed on Saturdays and therefore there are only a handful that are open for business and only from 9-12am. Anyway thought I would venture out and try the public transport. I am very lucky that at the apartment there is a bus stop just outside so I do not have to walk to far to catch a bus. So looked on the internet for the scheduled time. I took the bus to the local shopping centre i.e. Centro Galleria which also happens to be where one of the main bus depots are for the East of Perth, so I have figured that as long as I can get to this bus station from anywhere else I will always know how to get home. Actually it is all quite easy once you work it out. Anyway had a wonder around the shopping centre – nothing very excited after being in Singapore, but yip all the usual available. I must say everyone here is extremely friendly – in fact sometimes I think “What do you want” as they are all so nice. Maybe I just have a very South African culture built in me...... Even the bus drivers are friendly – there are signs everywhere stating that you should always have the correct change for the bus ride and I was so worried that the bus driver would shout at me (like in the UK they just give you such a mean look), nope all have their friendly faces on and more than willing to give you change. So another successful day after all.

Sunday 7th December – Okay I decided to try out another venture and that is to get to a beach somehow. After doing my washing and cleaning of the apartment (yip – I know you must all be wondering – WHAT! But hey I have to do it and it is not so bad as it is still only me!) I searched on the internet for the closest beach and then looked for the best bus route. I only had to take two buses to get there so all in all not so bad. I decided on Scarborough beach which is mainly a surfing beach. The beach was very clean with lots of grass areas as well as the beach area. There were plenty of surfers, wind surfers and kite surfers out and about as it was quite windy. I had a walk up and down the beach, then stopped at the local fish and chips shop for a bite to eat before heading home (Jackie – nothing like the Fish ‘n Chippa!). The bus trip was great as once again I got a chance to get a feeling for the various areas. There are some areas that I feel stopped in time around 1970’s at least and then some really great areas) Some areas are very much like the council housing in the UK were people do not look after their homes or gardens and the other areas where the houses are very neat and tidy but the house takes over the whole property (with no garden) and then areas similar to home. So once I find a good school for the kids I will then look for a house to stay in but this will only happen next year when I am back from SA. Oh and when I got back I was walking down the roads around 7:00pm on Sunday night and I did not feel intimated at all (Careful of course but not intimated!), and that to me is the best felling ever that I am free to walk where I want. I am truly getting all my exercise with all the walking I am doing – don’t think I have walked this much in years!!!!

Perth and Singapore!

Okay here goes and update on my first week in Perth/Singapore. Sorry I have not downloaded any pictures yet and should hopefully do that soon:
Saturday 29th November: Arrive in Perth and after so many people telling me that they check everything in your bags I was so careful what I had packed. I was stopped twice in the arrivals hall and questioned on my visa status but all in all they were very friendly. Once I got my bags I was given the green light to go straight through to the arrivals hall. Whewwww!!!! Not so bad after all. I was collected by my new boss and once I was dropped off at Heath’s aunts apartment, I was given a welcome basket of fruit, choccies, jam etc and a street map of Perth. After a long chat with Heath’s aunt Sylvia they then took me for a quick tour around the area and showed me where my office was situated. They then had to drive back to Merriden as this is where they own a supermarket – this is about 2 hours from Perth.

Sunday 30th November: I just really lazed about and started adjusting to the new time zone etc. I did get on my walking shoes to explore a little of the area around the apartment and found a small garage, video shop, pharmacy, pizza take-away and chinese take-away’s. As it was Sunday the only one open was the garage. Nothing much happens in Perth on Sunday (well in this area at least i.e. Kiara). I then wondered a little further into the residential area to find a fairly big park with a small dam, play area for kids and grass area for anyone to relax on or kids to play. On my way back home I passed another little park also equipped for the kids. I must say you can see that they are very family orientated here plus there are walking/cycling paths everywhere!

Monday 1st December: Start of a new job. I was fetched by my new boss again and taken to the client that I will be working with i.e. BHP Billiton. I was so grateful for this as otherwise I would more than likely have organised a taxi. Once I was in the office I was greeted by many friendly faces who all seemed to be expecting me, so all in all I felt very welcome. The only bad part is that they introduced me to about 20 new people and I am useless at remembering names!!! And of course they all remember mine as they only had to meet one of me!!! J Anyway after all of the greeting and meeting I was then off to the airport once again (oh yes, back on a plane) to Singapore for 3 nights. The flight to Singapore was about 5.5hrs and was great as we were booked into business class again with seats that go flat so you can have a good sleep. Once we arrived in Singapore the two collegues I was with took me to China Town and ordered some food (something with noodles). It all tasted very good, but overnight my body rejected all of the food (Arrrrrgggggg!!!!) After the meal I also met up with a good friend of mine from South Africa (Sherri) and we had a quick drink together to catch up a bit.

Tuesday 2nd December: Sat in workshops all day but I was allowed out over lunch time (well actually people in Singapore thrive for their lunch break). My mate Sherri took me to “The Sandwich lady” across the way from the office at International Plaza (Louise you must be proud of me to remember all of this). This woman is amazing – there is a huge queue outside her little stall as I think most of BHP Billiton people eat there daily and most of the time she looks at your face and will remember your usual combination. She takes about 4 orders at a time and while I was around did not get one wrong! That evening Sherri and Jeremy (her hubby) took me to a Pizza restaurant on Orchard Drive – I was so relieved as I did not quite want to face any form of Asian food that night. The pizza’s were great and also got the chance to catch up with another colleague that I had worked with when I was helping out at Deloitte. Another late night but anyway had loads of fun so who is to complain.

Wednesday 3rd December: Another day in the office doing workshops and once again getting our usual sandwich from “The sandwich lady”. That evening I spent with Sherri as she was looking for an evening dress for the company ball taking place on Saturday. We went to an area around The Orchards and then landing up eating at The Chimes. This is an old monastery that has been converted into little shops and restaurants, a little gem in the centre of Singapore. Oh my goodness but people in Singapore can shop I think that most shopping centres stay open until at least 9:00pm – 10:00pm every night. You basically walk out of one shopping centre into another and another.... I did not buy anything this time but yip saving up for the next time – hopefully there will be lots of sales on the next time I go – which might just be early Jan!!!! Louise I can really see how you love the place – I could quite easily stay there for a while but not for too long – just too crowded for me!

Thursday 4th December: Last day of workshops with the business and actually quite hectic to get everything done before shooting back to the airport back to Oz. We got to the airport much earlier than expected as it was pouring with rain when we left the office and thought that it would take a while but not so. We had nearly 3 hours to wait but then of course it had to happen our flight was delayed as well. We were supposed to land at 1:45am but eventually landed at 3:00am. I was not impressed! I then had to get through customs which took another 45 minutes as another flight had just landed so it took FOREVER! Luckily my bag was ready to grab and run through to the arrival hall only to find ANOTHER queue waiting for the taxis. Well all in all I eventually landed up in bed around 4:30am.

Friday 5th December: After getting in the early hours of the morning I was not in a very happy mood having to get to the office by 9:00am as I was scheduled for an induction of the building at this time, so no sleeping in for me! They take security and safety VERY SERIOUSLY here in Oz. I was physically taken through the whole building of 4 floors and it was explained to me all of the rules and regulations. Then again as I have said before at least it is a job for someone and this someone takes it very seriously. In fact I even had to rate her on the tour! Plus I was not allowed an access card until I had completed my induction. So after all of that was taken care of, I eventually dragged myself back up stairs to my desk. Just got started when we were whisked away to a park down the road from the office called “Tomato Lake” (don’t ask me – I have no idea!) for a team building afternoon. Can they not see I NEED sleep!!!! Anyway we had a barbeque with salads etc and then started the proceedings. Once again safety is the number one rule! The company had hired specialist trainers who do this for a living i.e. we were to play a couple of games of cricket, rounders and then the usual team building exercises – but all checked and umpired by these specialist trainers! Anyway all in all very well organised and good fun had by all. About the parks here – they are everywhere, it feels like every corner I turn there is a park and all of them will have facilities for kids i.e. jungle gyms, swings, sandpits etc. And most of the parks have these gas barbeques already set-up (with gas supplied by the council), so all you have to do is bring along your meat and you are sorted!