Farewell To My Family And Friends.

Farewell dear friends and family...

It's really not goodbye...

You'll see us all again, when I'm not sure, but you know I'll try...

I take with me all our happy times...

And some we wished we'd forget...

But deep inside you'll be there...

Waiting for us, so be kind...

Let us go and take this adventure...

We'll build a better life...

You'll see a different person...

Although we're the other side...

Happiness and joy, are all we behold.

To give to thee more memories, and to hug and hold...

Alas we're departing now...

I wish you could come too...

We'll speak to you shortly, and I pray that you find your way too.

Cost Of Living In New Zealand

Generally, although this isn't through first had experience, as we don't fly out to New Zealand until November 30th. The cost of living in New Zealand is relatively speaking, the same as it is where we're living now in London. If, for arguments sack you're in a household of 2 people, you should be able to get by on $130 for food. However, that's not with any what I'd call luxury items like biscuits and cake or anything pre-packet.

This isn't a massive problem for us as a family because I'm quite adept at rolling my sleeves up and backing a batch of cookies for everyone every so often. So, I'll guess I'll just have to do that a little more regular once we arrive in New Zealand.

GST or goods service tax in New Zealand runs at 15% which for someone used to 17.5% VAT in England, then a whopping 20% VAT since January 2011 isn't too sad at all.

So, what exactly is taxable in New Zealand?

In essence, it's the same principle as in the UK and most other nations of the world. Good's and services are taxable. You can get a full flavour for GST on the New Zealand Inland Revenue's website and I'd highly recommend you pay it a visit here.

I point to note though. My mother in law, who lives in New Zealand has mentioned that dairy products like  milk and cheese are a little more expensive than you might have thought. Now, from a country that is famed for having arguabally the best dairy market in the world. I did find that quite hard to fathom out! I love dairy products so I might smuggle a cow into the garden if it does get too costly!

I have heard that clothing costs can be a little more expensive too, but if you're not into high fashion then that shouldn't be a problem. I'm going to conduct some research into online UK companies that deliver to New Zealand over the next couple of days, so keep checking back!

As ever, have a productive day.

God Bless

Alan

How To Use Your Skills Volunteering, To Aid Your Visa Application

Now, because I'm lucky enough to have a New Zealander for a wife, I've not had to use my qualifications, skills and experience for my New Zealand visa application. I'm applying for a partner visa instead. One of the down sides is that I cannot conduct any paid work whilst I'm waiting for my application to be processed.

This has given me the idea to use the experience that I gained when I worked for an organisation based in Dagenham, Essex that work with disabled, elderly and vulnerable people. If you're not already aware 2011 is the international year of volunteering. So, what better excuse to roll up your sleeves and help your fellow man!

This doesn't just apply to my own personal New Zealand emigration, this can apply to you too. There's organisations that can point you in the right direction, so that you too can not only volunteer your own experience and skills and get a personal reward from helping those less fortunate than yourselves, but also it tells the relevant immigration service in the country you want to settle in that you're community spirited! That has to help with your visa application! Right?

So it's a win/win situation! You get out and about, helping others and explore much more of your new surroundings earlier on than you might have done otherwise. You'll most likely make a heck of a lot of friends too in the process. Also, if you're an 'outdoors' type of person you might even get fitter in the process. Not only that, but, It'll help with anxiety and 'post emigration blues', in that it'll keep your mind occupied and lessen pining you may have when missing your home country.

If you've never volunteered before, don't let that put you off! Organisations won't expect the earth from you  and will really value any time you can help. Even if that's just an hour a week that's 52 hours a year! Right? Imagine if everyone you know did this for their fellow man, I'm sure the world would be a different place!

If you'd like to get some contacts or ideas, Sir Richard Branson's book called 'Worldwide Volunteering' would be an invaluable purchase. It's literally packed with ideas for gap year, holiday or emigration volunteering. With over 250,000 placements in over 200 countries, you'll find the right choice for you.

Giving my time to help others has been a real life enriching experience. I look forward to helping my New Zealand cousins once we've arrived in a week's time.

As always, keep positive and thanks for reading. Don't forget to bookmark if haven't already and I look forward to hearing your comments.

God bless

Alan

How To Overcome Emigration Anxiety

It's clearly obvious to anyone thinking of emigrating overseas, that maybe has not done all that much traveling, things like 'high emotions' run the risk of spoiling the initial settling in period. Now, lets face it, that would be a bit of a disaster. Not only for you, but anyone that's lucky enough to be emigrating with you. So, with that in mind, it's only fair to keep things in the context they deserve, for everyone's sake!

Of course, emigrating is a massive thing. You're going to surely love aspects of it straight away, but of course there's bound to be parts of it you'll hate at first. Being able to take a step back and looking at the whole picture helps with some very mild bouts of anxiety attack. But, what about the bouts of anxiety attack that hit you a little deeper? Well, I've actually been researching anxiety now for a good few years. Partly because my sister, Jenny, suffered with it. I felt I should get a greater understanding for the situation she found herself in so I could feel the empathy a brother should. Little did I know that some years later, the methods I learnt to help her, would help me too! I'm not going to lie to you, I'm feeling mild to medium bouts of anxiety right now. I awoke this morning like a 'bull in a china shop' and snapped at Madison, my daughter for no real reason. That's not good at all, so I of course apologised and then realised I was suffering what I'm going to call pre-emigration anxiety. However, the method I shall provide to you will help all forms of anxiety, so grab a coffee, and give me five minutes more of your precious time...

That was quick!...

Right, the method I use is called 'The Silva Method'.

It's fantastic, it gets results and it's going to cost you the price of a second hand paperback on amazon! The Silva method doesn't just help anxiety. It can help with a whole multitude of problems. Ever get a bit forgetful? Ever feel like your lacking in confidence? Ever feel like your relationship with your partner could do with a little 'pick me up'? Yes, you've guessed it. It help's!

It's basically a self-hypnosis method that teaches you a very easy way to tap into the alpha part of the brain. The alpha part of the brain is really underused, but is the most powerful part! Do your own research on it and I'm sure you'll agree with me.

In essence, you lay down in a quite room, preferably on your own. with your head slightly raised. Close your eyes, then imagine your counting back from 100. As your counting back, you visualise the numbers in your favourite colour. Once you feel relaxed you fill your mid with positive affirmations like 'Every way, in every day, I'm feeling less anxious and less stressed. I'm feeling better and better' etc etc. Don't worry if the phone rings, or there's a knock at the door. You'll snap out of the relaxed state of mind and just function normally. But, once your happy that you've relaxed enough and filled yourself full of positivity, you then count back from 3 (thinking I'm more awake), 2 (feeling wide awake), 1 (now fully awake, feeling more positive than I have done in ages and ready to get on with my day)

Here's the link to the actual book that first got me started with 'The Silva Method'! Go give it a try!

Don't forget to bookmark my blog, we've only got just over a week before we emigrate to New Zealand. As ever, thanks for reading.

Alan

Flying With Children

Once we've got off the plane, no doubt I'll personally want to sleep for a week! After all, New Zealand from London is over 26 hours on a plane! A mammoth journey by anyone's standards, but not the longest journey I've ever undertaken. Around ten years ago I lived in the United States of America. On one occasion, I had to travel from Miami, to Newark. Now that journey kind of put this flight we're taking into shame as I traveled by Amtrak! We're talking 31 hours, sat on a train. Going from a tremendously hot climate, to a temperate climate, on a train, did take some getting used to!

However it's this current journey on the plane that concerns me. As any parent of a 2 year old will tell you. Traveling for anything more than a couple of hours can be a real nightmare if there is nothing to occupy their little minds.   Clearly we are going have to take some of her favourite toys, thankfully these are pretty small and will fit into her own personal hand luggage allowance. But, I fear even these will soon loose favour during the long, arduous flight.

So, here's how we plan to get over the hiccups that will inevitably occur, so Madison doesn't get too ratty and embarrass the family with a rage of temper.

We plan to interact with her, talk to her like a grown up, inform her of what's happening and why she needs to be on her absolute best behaviour. Thankfully as most children do, Madison has a passion, and that passion is chocolate! Although we don't give it to her too much, we do use it as a reward mechanism and it never ceases to amaze me how she can go from a screaming, crazed, tantrum infused mess of a child.  To angelic, mushy, wanton and warm, friendly and calm. All in the space of a micro-second! So chocolate will defiantly be in our arsenal during the flight.

We also plan on requesting a western menu for her. We're flying with Korean Air (review to follow), and I've heard you can request a western menu, if you so wish. Madison loves her breakfast and lunch, but she's murder when it comes to eating an evening meal. So we'll properly keep some of her favourite savoury type snacks in our hand luggage too, just incase she doesn't like the main meal that will be served.

Another idea, apart from her regular favourite toys, will be to ask her Grandma to make a little 'pass the parcel' package. So we can pass that between the three of us, to some music, and make a little game of it. That'll kill an hour or so as she unwraps a colouring book and some crayons, alphabet and number cards, and alike.

We'll also take frequent walks, and plenty of fluids. Madison does have a habit of wanting to use public conveniences an awful lot! We thought there might actually be something wrong with her bladder, but our family practice Doctor informed us everything is fine with her waterworks. Therefore it's just one of those little games she likes, and no matter how much we've tried to ween her from going to the bathroom while she's out, she asks, we take! Madison has been potty trained, but like most children her age, sometimes little accidents do happen. She does get a tad embarrassed, bless her. But she's a very grown up little girl, has a fantastic vocabulary and is as cheeky as cheese!

We love to read books together, so we'll take a couple of those on the plane. Thankfully, we'll be able to more or less read the same book over and over. As she's not quite at the age when the same old thing gets too boring!

I decided not to get any sedatives for the flight, as I don't believe in medicating, unless it's a medical emergency or ailment that needs a minor pain killer. I think most parents do think the same and I want the whole adventure to be as fun for not only Madison, but for myself and Hannah too. Also, I want Madison to start to understand that family and friends in England, aren't able to just pop over, on a whim. I realise that trying to explain too much, too soon will most likely upset her. So, we'll explain it to her bit by bit.

I think we've got the flight pretty much covered though in terms of keeping a youngster occupied. I know most of our fellow travellers will be sympathetic to the situation if we're doing all we can to alleviate any potential flash point. There might well be others on board in the exact same predicament. However, it's every parents responsibility to do everything they can to make any journey, be it flight, train or car, as pleasing as possible. I will of course let you know how we get on!

As ever, thanks for reading and I hope some of the tips come in helpful for you and your family.

God Bless

Our Last Weekend In London!

This weekend is a very special weekend indeed. Our last weekend in London! Although we're leaving for New Zealand on the 30th November, we're spending next weekend 'up north' in Doncaster, Yorkshire, for a close relatives wedding.

Hannah was fluttering around earlier this morning and suggested she's more nervous than I am with the prospect of emigrating to New Zealand. Although I can't quite fathom that, seeing as she's a native! She explained to me that since she's been in the UK for over 12 years, a lot of changes would have taken place and she was in danger of hardly recognising Hamilton. I guess she's got a valid point, however I'm relying on her to get me through the bouts of home sickness that will no doubt creep in at some point.

She's just as apprehensive as I have been recently. Okay, so this doesn't exactly bode well so today we're going to visit some friends and relatives to cheer us both up, and give our daughter, Madison some happy memories of her English home.

What I've noticed over the last couple of months is that our collective moods, as a family, seem to have 'peaks and troughs'. Some of this will no doubt be because we're on a self embossed 'tight budget'.

Clearly though, the majority of these mood swings are, I would say, a natural part of the mental adjustment  that emigration would have on a family unit.

In my next post, I will be discussing the way, we as a family are overcoming these bouts of anxiety. And, how these methods can help you too. As ever, thanks for reading!

New Zealand, A Different World?

Ever since we decided to leave the United Kingdom for New Zealand, I decided to do some of my own research on New Zealand. After all, I've never visited the country before, and although my wife is a kiwi I wanted to be as prepared as humanly possible for such a compelling event in our lives.

Here's some of what I've discovered:

People: New Zealanders are very sporty people in general. They have a passion for Rugby Union, Cricket, Netball and Golf. Soccer is also growing in popularity following the success of their national football team, affectionally known as 'The All Whites'.

Politics: There are two main parties in New Zealand, National and Labour. Since 1996 a form of proportional representation called Mixed Member Proportional has meant that government has been formed using a minority.

Climate: The climate is not dissimilar to the United Kingdom in the sense that it's a moderate climate. Although I have read that some parts can feel all four seasons before lunch! 

Using Free Apps To Communicate Online

Clearly for those of us that are thinking of emigrating, or have actually decided to take the plunge and go, communication with friends and loved ones is of paramount importance. Thankfully we live in the age where this is more than possible. With a basic internet connection, inexpensive hardware and some minor planning, you can still share those tender moments with your nearest and dearest whenever you feel like a chat!

One example that simply blows me away for quality is Apple's FaceTime application. The actual quality of the video and sound is amazing. There's no lag at all and it's very rare that we loose connection. Currently my wife, Hannah speaks to her parents at least three times per week. We're in Essex (well until the 30th when we depart for New Zealand), and they're in Hamilton, Waikato, New Zealand. We have the FaceTime application on our Macbook Pro, and they have it installed on their iPad 2. Furthermore my sister also has the Apple FaceTime application on her new iPhone 4s. So, as long as she is in a Wi-Fi cloud, she can communicate 'on the move'! I'm sure you'll agree, that's powerful stuff!

Communication with my loved ones will be cherished and I can't emphasise enough the importance of remaining in touch with everyone. Assuming you're close to your family, there's really no excuse not to just call them up, on the fly, and natter away to your hearts content. Usually it's not a call for any specific reason, just to let them know we're thinking of them.

Here's a quick list of other free to use applications to video chat.

1. Microsoft's Internet Messenger.
2. Skype.
3. Facebook (new video chat in chat area).

There's loads of others, but they are the most popular in my household. However, if you use a Blackberry or Android device, you might want to visit these pages for further details: 13 Best Free Communications Apps For Your Blackberry and Top Free Android Communication Apps

It's not goodbye, it's farewell!

It's hard to look at my parents and sister lately. Mainly because I know that leaving the country for New Zealand will be such a heart wrench for them, hell and me too!

They've grown so close to Madison. It does feel cruel to just up and leave, but I know that it's just the right thing to do. To give my own family a new start! After all, shouldn't my in-laws have the same 'bonding' period that my parents have had?

Anyway, we've just got home from a great evening at the Havering Annual switching on of the Christmas lights. Although I do still find it hard to fathom how one can even begin to feel Christmassy in mid November! On the bus ride home, I turned to my Mum, smiled and said... "Mum, it's not goodbye, it's just farewell".

"If only New Zealand was a bus ride away." was her reply.

Hmmmm she does have a point.

Packing up!

Okay, with only 2 weeks left until we depart for New Zealand, we're starting to sort through things we want take, things we are going to leave here at my mothers and things we're going to bin!

It's a tough choice, but we decided a while ago that we wouldn't go to the expense of hiring a container to ship out our belongings. Instead, my wife has made some extra money by listing the things we didn't want to keep on ebay.

It's clearly easier for us as a family, as we're moving in with my in-laws. But, it's been a great de-clutting experiance and I'm sure we'd have just thrown out most of the things we didn't want, had we'd not been in desperate need of some cash.

Items we're taking include the obvious clothes and personal gadgets, but in saying that, we have to keep the weight down as much as possible for each suitcase. I think we have 30kg allowance in each suitcase and we're going to take 2 large, 1 small.

Other item's we're taking are birth and marriage certificates, medical records and other important documents. I'm sure over the next 2 weeks we'll be adding to this list.

Our New Zealand Adventure

We're moving to New Zealand from London, England on the 30th November and here's where the fun starts! Of course we are a complete mixture of excitement and apprehention right now. However, I'm sure that will pass once we have arrived!

Let me introduce myself. I'm Alan, 36 from Essex, England. I've got a lovely wife, Hannah a New Zealander and a two year old daughter called Madison. We have lived in Essex together for the last two years, but, things are not going too well on the financial front. I have no real career to speak of after flunking exams back when I was at school. Then entering into a failed music career with a band I was in some 10 years ago. In essence, we are living with my retired mother in a very small house and needed space to grow as a family. 

So, how are you funding your emigration to New Zealand, you might ask? Well, I had a small amount of savings, just enough for some 'one-way' tickets to New Zealand. Also, my in-laws are going to let us stay at their house for as long as we need. 

I wanted to start this blog, mainly for something constructive to do while I'm there! However, I hope my adventure inspires you enough to comment and re-visit.

Thanks for visiting and please feel free to bookmark for my regular posts on the trials and tribulations of emigrating.