Well 12 months ago we arrived in Adelaide much to the same weather we have today!!! What a whirlwind year it has been though. It feels like we have been here only months however it on the other hand feels like we have been here forever. We have acheived so much in the past 12 months I never though possible. If I was truthfuly honest I dont really know if I even thought we would last here this long.

Adelaide is "home" to us now and we are feeling settled however like I have said on many occaisions we may try somewhere different at some point who knows.

Do I miss anything? NO!!! apart from my mum and family I can honestly say the only thing that tugs at my heart strings is missing the Lakes however if someone were to gove me a ticket to go back I would politely decline. I love and miss everyone so much but they are all in the exact same place as when we left and I have no desire to go back to the hum-drum of life that once was as I am certainley and extremely different Candice that arrived here last year and dont think I would have the patience for the moaning!!!

Family: life is so much more enriched here and we do so much more as a family ad also father/son mother/daughter type stuff too which we never did in the Uk. Financially thngs can be a struggle when all things come at once and with the added expense of migrating it takes a year to become financially stable once again and we are just reaching that nice comfortable point again and can plan for future events etc.

Holidays: (what are those!!!) we feel we do not need to go on "holiday" here as we have so much on our doorstep and frequently go away camping for the long weekends and are planning a week in the flinders in August but as for getting on a plane and jetting away to a sandy idylic island now holds no pleasure for me at all. We have the beach here when we want and the hot weather when we want so for us it is a joy when the winter comes when we can use that for our trips and walks which are not fun in the heat.

Friends: after being here a year we have now establised a good group of friends both brits and aussies, we have a fantastic social life probably far more than in the uk but also on a different level. We socialise as a family and have only been out 3 times in a year alone which is fine as the kids are older it is easier. Friends are a life saver and also there for sanity (and insanity at times!!) and without them we would really struggle.

Work: work for Darren was quick and easy to fiond however for me was a struggle when I really needed it not to be. Darren still struggles with the OH&S stuff at work here as is is different to the Uk. I love my job but struggle with the system here regarding kids and young people there is so much grey matter it is unbelievable. Work culture is VERY different here so be prepared to be confused and also confuse others. Australian work culture is very strange and took me a while to figure it all out but it gets easier with time. My work has gone from strength to strength however and my sheer blunt approach to matters has been noticed and thats what matters!! darren has also progressed in his role too so in that respect things are going great.

What now? who knows? every day is different and I still pinch myself at times wondering a) what the hell have we done and b) i cant believe we did it!!! but for now and the forseeable future things are great. Life brings with it many struggles and challenges but it is getting through each of these relativley unscathed that makes the difference and makes us stronger. Migrating has been one of the most stressful events however it has made us closer as a family and I wouldn't change it for the world. Be prepared for the emotional rollercoaster as even after a year there are many ups and downs but we are here and after a year of getting established we can now kick back and enjoy Oz and all she has to offer.

Good luck for all of you in the Uk and newly arrived you will get there in the end and if you find out is isnt for you then thats ok too as everyone is different and it has to be right for YOU!!!

Candice,
what a lovely post.
We have been here less than 2 months and already feel pretty settled. Even more so next week when we move into our house!!
Just hope I feel as happy as you seem to in 10 months time.
Angela

Fantastic post Candice,

Congrats on reaching the year mark!!

Nikki
xx

Well over a year since I first met you at Xscape in Castleford and while we've all been changed by the journey I think the fundamentals of what made you stand out from the crowd haven't been lost.
Whilst never needing to be best friends it feels like you're in 'my year' at school and many a time I've enjoyed chewing the fat as the months have rolled by bringing the highs and lows with them. Same goes for Darren and the kids, glad our paths have crossed.
love
The Mann Clan

PS Still waiting for The Rocky Horror night.... :cool shake:

Thinking of doing that this year for Halloween "Rocky Horror fancy dress party" but has to be kid friendly too!!!! watch this space!!!

Fab post Candice, straight from the heart. Congrats on getting through your first year, onwards & upwards you go :sign60: :D

Yes, lovely post - it doesn't seem like a year since we first met you in your OAA round the corner!

Wow candice :D , i can still remember the goodbye post you put on here just before you left and it doesn't feel like 12 months ago, blimey how the year has gone so fast, where has all the time gone :sign68: ???

Anyways, really pleased that your all settled and enjoying life, good on ya :yeehah:

Babs :D

That's a great way to put it Gils :sign61:

Candice it seems an age since I met you when you came to one of my first coffee mornings I think you had only been here 4 weeks. How time flies.

Good post.

Sarah

Great Post!!

Work culture is VERY different here so be prepared to be confused and also confuse others. Australian work culture is very strange and took me a while to figure it all out but it gets easier with time

We're really interested in how the work culture is different - so please spill the beans :loopy:

David & Rachel

Great post as always Candice,
Always like reading your posts.
Hope to meet you all this year sometime! :sign03:

Great post mate. Congratulations on celebrating your 1st year anniversary, we've had some laughs with ya in the short time we've been here with many more to come :cool shake:

Get the jug filled, i'm on me way :dance:

Dawn ;)

Great post Candice.
Nice to hear a year down the line,you feel so positive, pleased for you and your family.

Sharon. ;) :chuckle:

I really enjoyed reading that. Thank-you for taking the time :D Congratulations too! :dance:

Jan

Hi

Like many others have said it doesn't seem possible you have been there a year. Wishing you and your family all the very best for the 12 months.

Thanks for a great post!

Mandy :bouncy:

Thanks for taking the trouble to post.

Just had the visa granted so posts like this really help with the 'are we completely mad' feelings.

Have been watching the bits of the rollercoaster you shared on here so glad you are feeling so settled at the end of your first year.

Jayne :)

Hi Candice,

Thanks for that great post, sounds like you have achieved loads in a year, looking forward to getting to that place! mentally I mean.


Look forward to meeting you for that coffee in Starbucks.

Tash :D

:dance: :dance: Happy 1st Birthday in Adelaide :dance: :dance:

Thanks for the great post, it's a really good read.

Wishing you many more happy years in Adelaide to come.

Kerry
:sign60: :happy45: :sign60: :happy45:

ditto to that Candice...it's good to see rounded posts on life in Adelaide

thanks

No beans to spill, you need to be here and work to make your own mind up!!!

Thanks for all the replies guys :D

an up lifting post..

thank you

Lovely post Candice, I can relate to lots you say even after only 4 months! Anyone who wants to know about work culture.....too long! its basically like living in a parallel universe! but its exciting interesting and challenging which is what I was looking for....

On with the adventure!

Congrats Candice XXXX :love29:

Congratulations on your one year anniversary

Not sure why you would have doubts about reaching it , on first meeting I had you pegged as a "stayer" ;) Had no doubts you would do well

Heres to the next year

JUlie xx

Hi Candice!!

What a great post! You gave a great account of your new life. heres to many more happy years and we hope to join you soon :D


Tracy, Brian & boys

What a gem you are Candice, I hope others look at your post, and say we can do this too, you have real grit, and I`ll take this time too say I am sorry, hope you will accept this, my pms and email are still open

Love

Sheila
xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Thanks guys for your lovely replies it's nice to see that people get a lot out of others experiences.

Sheila apologies accepted :D and thanks
XXXXXXXXXX

I can remember you starting to post on here Candice and becoming a very strong member, then we left the UK at the same time yet different paths. You have always been a star Candice and even though at times you have struggled like the rest of us you have always had the guts to go for it.

See you when I get there and wait for me for the Rocky Horror Show party :D

Sasha :)

Thanks Sasha and I cant wait till you get here either!!!

Thanks Candice for a sensible and honest post. I have had so many colly wobbles lately with all the negativity. I'm glad posts aren't all 'it's fantastic', because then you are at least prepared for it not to be, but it's great to hear a balance. Thanks for that. :)