Packing Up

What moving to another country looks like:


The first room cleaning/sorting session


It just gets worse


One suitcase packed and ready to go, weighing exactly 23kg, my limit. You know you've packed a lot when you pack and it weighs the right amount, first time around. I did buy a scale though to double check :)


Preparing my room to be the grandchildren room


And empty shelves...

So sad. But so very exciting.

My Niece

How cute is little Miss Madeleine??







I'm going to miss this little girl!

6 Weeks

My flights are booked and I leave July 18. I am so excited to head back to Australia but sad when I think that it is not a holiday. I will for sure miss everyone here but I know its time for me to make a life for myself and spread my wings. (wow that was cheesy)

I have also booked my flights to Las Vegas to see my sister and brother-in-law before I go. It will be good to spend time with them. They are expecting a little one who is due to arrive in November. I am sad that I will miss meeting the little one but will hopefully do so in the next year or so.

I feel ready to go. I am no longer enjoying my work here in Vancouver so the timing was good. Not saying that I will enjoy work much more in Australia but a change of pace will be good.

Now, I'm just starting to make the final preparations to leave. Close bank accounts, get insurance, sort through my room.... It will all get done sooner than later.

And to throw in some pictures.... these were taken by Barney of the storms in Australia. The first two are before pictures of the area and the last three are of the sand storm.

Australia Here I Come!

I've been approved!!!

I got home from a long day at work and was set to have a phone date with Barney. I had this gut feeling to just check my email before I called him, even though I would be a bit late. I'm thankful I did since I got word that my visa has been approved and I am free to go to Australia whenever I like.

There are still more steps in the process. We now have to get married within the next 9 months. No big deal there! My visa actually expires 9 months from today, March 2, 2011. We have to be married by then and have my spousal visa paperwork in to immigration before that day as well. This shouldn't really be a problem. The spousal visa lasts 2 years until they reassess our case and marriage and go from there. Yes, we actually have to have our marriage assessed. Lovely.

I am going to go see a travel agent tomorrow and check on some dates. I am hoping to head out of here mid to late July like I have said before. My last day of work will be in early July so that I have time to see friends and family before I go and my cute little niece that should be just days old at that time.

That's all for now! Thank you for your prayers and support!!