So, where were we?
I think last post I was talking about living at the Holiday Inn. Well, we've just moved out to a 2br villa out near the airport and are very happy. The sweetener was that we didn't have to pay a bond - awesome.
The downside is that we now have to pay for internet, electricity and gym fees (just like everyone else, really). And the commute to and from work/school is a bit further. However, where we are living is like a little village. We have a private courtyard, there's space for Matt and I to run, the kids can go exploring or bike riding. We've got a little IGA within the grounds, nice cafes and restaurants too. Matt commented to me yesterday that it feels more like a 'home'.
My biggest love of our new place is that we have an oven! Yes, an oven! At the Holiday Inn we only had a tiny microwave/convection oven/grill thingy that didn't perform any of those functions particularly well, and couldn't fit any cookware in it either.
Tonight, the kids are excited that we can make homemade pizzas because we can now fit them in the oven! Woot Woot! I even have a great paleo pizza base recipe that Matt loves, and allows him to eat 'pizza' with us.
It's the little things that make a big difference up here.
The most important and exciting news is that Mum is arriving today! I'm so excited to show her where we live. I'm heading off shortly to pick her up from the airport. Yay!
I will post some pics of our new surroundings soon.
Til next time....
Showing posts with label hubby. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hubby. Show all posts
Monday, 20 April 2015
Wednesday, 26 November 2014
8 weeks and going strong
I know I say it in almost every post, but I can't believe that we've been living (and thriving) here for 8 weeks. You know what they say - time flies when you're having fun.
We've been settling in nicely. We've almost become Friday night regulars at the Yacht Club, and Saturday lunchtime regulars at Duffy's. Matt & Lachie are having fun attending the parents groups, and Bree is still the social butterfly. She went and saw the latest Hunger Games movie with some friends on Sunday, which made her very happy.
I had been told that movies are quite often released earlier here than in Australia, but I was skeptical. But I've now seen that all the Christmas/Boxing Day releases in Aust will be out here in late Nov to early Dec. For example, the latest Hobbit installment will be released at the movies here on 11 December, rather than Boxing Day in Australia. For Lachie's upcoming birthday, we're planning to go and see The Penguins of Madagascar which is released here on 27/11 (tomorrow), but not is Aust until 1st Jan.
I was expecting that our shipment of 'stuff' would be arriving tomorrow. However, I've just received an email to say that the ship that will be transporting the container only left Sydney yesterday for arrival next Thursday. I'm getting used to things in PNG going slow, but to have our stuff departing Sydney 9 weeks after it was packed and removed is ridiculous. By the time it arrives here, is unloaded, passed through customs and delivered, we'll probably need to pack it all up again to come home.
I haven't got as many interesting pics to share today, but some are better than none:
We've been settling in nicely. We've almost become Friday night regulars at the Yacht Club, and Saturday lunchtime regulars at Duffy's. Matt & Lachie are having fun attending the parents groups, and Bree is still the social butterfly. She went and saw the latest Hunger Games movie with some friends on Sunday, which made her very happy.
I had been told that movies are quite often released earlier here than in Australia, but I was skeptical. But I've now seen that all the Christmas/Boxing Day releases in Aust will be out here in late Nov to early Dec. For example, the latest Hobbit installment will be released at the movies here on 11 December, rather than Boxing Day in Australia. For Lachie's upcoming birthday, we're planning to go and see The Penguins of Madagascar which is released here on 27/11 (tomorrow), but not is Aust until 1st Jan.
I was expecting that our shipment of 'stuff' would be arriving tomorrow. However, I've just received an email to say that the ship that will be transporting the container only left Sydney yesterday for arrival next Thursday. I'm getting used to things in PNG going slow, but to have our stuff departing Sydney 9 weeks after it was packed and removed is ridiculous. By the time it arrives here, is unloaded, passed through customs and delivered, we'll probably need to pack it all up again to come home.
I haven't got as many interesting pics to share today, but some are better than none:
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| My boys playing soccer. There aren't a lot of 'green spaces' around the place to do this type of thing. Even most housing estates and compounds don't have a grassed area. We are very lucky to have this space to use at the Holiday Inn |
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| A car on it's roof is not that much of an unusual site here in Port Moresby. What was unusual was where it landed. I have no idea how it managed to get on it's roof. However, the local riff-raff had already stripped it's wheels. The following day, the paper reported that it was still there, waiting to be removed by it's owner (or whoever else removes cars here) Can't say I've ever seen a tow truck here. |
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| The letter of the day is 'T' While Lachie looks less than impressed, he was actually laughing his head off. Badly timed photo! |
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| Sometimes the best pillow to fall asleep on is Dad's butt - even if it is a bit smelly. |
Monday, 17 November 2014
Counting down 'til Christmas
Flights are booked and we're coming home for Christmas - WooHoo!
There was a bit of conjecture initially as to whether I could fly home without losing my tax-free status. However, I've now confirmed that I will still meet the 91-day foreign engagement obligations, so I can go!
We've been here now for 6 and a half weeks, and it feels normal to be here. Matt flew back to Australia last weekend and said it felt weird. He couldn't believe how good the service was at hotels, restaurants and shops - he's obviously become too accustomed to the crappy service provided in PNG - ha ha.
We got hit up for our first 'scam' on Saturday, but it was admittedly my own fault. When I picked Matt up from the airport on Sat, I parked in a spot that I didn't really think was a car park, but it was shady and there were no signs to say I couldn't park there. When we returned to the car, two of the security guards hit us up to say we couldn't park there and had to pay a 50 Kina fine. They also told me if I didn't pay then and there that they would report me to the governing body and that I'd have to pay 'big money'. While I wasn't bothered by their threat, I put them on the spot by asking them for a receipt (they obviously couldn't give me one because they were scamming me). However, because we had the kids in the car and I had actually done the wrong thing, I just paid the money. If I hadn't done the wrong thing, I would have argued the point, but it wasn't worth it. The big lesson in this was don't make yourself a target.
To finish up, here are a few more pics of life in Moresby:
Til next time........
There was a bit of conjecture initially as to whether I could fly home without losing my tax-free status. However, I've now confirmed that I will still meet the 91-day foreign engagement obligations, so I can go!
We've been here now for 6 and a half weeks, and it feels normal to be here. Matt flew back to Australia last weekend and said it felt weird. He couldn't believe how good the service was at hotels, restaurants and shops - he's obviously become too accustomed to the crappy service provided in PNG - ha ha.
We got hit up for our first 'scam' on Saturday, but it was admittedly my own fault. When I picked Matt up from the airport on Sat, I parked in a spot that I didn't really think was a car park, but it was shady and there were no signs to say I couldn't park there. When we returned to the car, two of the security guards hit us up to say we couldn't park there and had to pay a 50 Kina fine. They also told me if I didn't pay then and there that they would report me to the governing body and that I'd have to pay 'big money'. While I wasn't bothered by their threat, I put them on the spot by asking them for a receipt (they obviously couldn't give me one because they were scamming me). However, because we had the kids in the car and I had actually done the wrong thing, I just paid the money. If I hadn't done the wrong thing, I would have argued the point, but it wasn't worth it. The big lesson in this was don't make yourself a target.
To finish up, here are a few more pics of life in Moresby:
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| Miss Bree at 'March Girls' black beach |
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| iPad Style? I don't think so... |
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| Mobile phones have been instrumental in treating childbirth complications and death. See, mobiles aren't all bad |
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| My gorgeous monkeys |
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| Distance education for my Lachie Bear |
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| Best. Waffles. Ever! |
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| Matt & Bree at the Nature Park |
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| The REAL reason I love it here |
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| Hanging with our new 'besties' at the Yacht Club |
Monday, 3 November 2014
Some days you just need to vent.....
While it’s been good to write about all the interesting and fun(ny) stuff, sometimes you just need to vent to get the crappy feelings out. The last 24 hrs have left me feeling deflated and crap.
Yesterday, we went out to a ‘resort’ (I use that term loosely) for a BBQ picnic in a convoy. While it was nice to escape the city, we felt like we were stuck there because we couldn’t leave to come home on our own. We had to wait for other’s to leave with us for security. We were going to go for a swim at the beach, but after finding broken glass and empty food tins, we decided against it. PNG has a real issue with rubbish. There is no infrastructure to cater for household and other waste, so the sides of the road are just lined with garbage. Sometimes they’ll set fire to it, but the sheer amount we saw on the way to the resort was deflating. There seems to be no sense of responsibility or pride in their lands. I have always said that PNG could be so beautiful, but it’s not. It’s such a shame.
I’ve always found it amusing that the national’s like to stare at us ‘whities’, particularly the kids. But yesterday it just got to me. Yes, we’re white, get over it! It also started getting to me that being white meant that market sellers like to (a) eagerly harass you to buy their stuff; and (b) then double or triple the price of their wares. While I like to support the market sellers, it gets to me that I’m seen as a meal ticket.
Having said that, I now have a greater appreciation of what indigenous or new Australian’s must feel in a predominantly ‘white’ society.
Matt is also feeling a bit down. Especially after having to be reliant on the convoy yesterday, he’s feeling isolated and stuck. To his credit, he really has been trying by stepping out of his comfort zone and putting himself in more social situations. But being stuck in a compound, usually without a car, is getting to him.
Last night and this morning I’ve been suffering from my first tummy bug. Together with my first tropical head cold, and the power going on and off several times (making all the appliances ‘ding’) made for a crappy night’s sleep. Having no accrued sick leave yet, meant that I had to drag myself to work this morning. I knew I needed some Sudafed, but found that they don’t stock the ‘good stuff’ here (pseudoephedrine), only the crappy replacement one that doesn’t work (phenylephrine).
The silver lining of my little cloud is that I now, really REALLY truly appreciate and love Canberra and Australia. While I did have some sense of appreciation, being here has really made it clear how wonderful and lucky our life at home is.
Thankfully, tomorrow is another day.
Til next time……
Yesterday, we went out to a ‘resort’ (I use that term loosely) for a BBQ picnic in a convoy. While it was nice to escape the city, we felt like we were stuck there because we couldn’t leave to come home on our own. We had to wait for other’s to leave with us for security. We were going to go for a swim at the beach, but after finding broken glass and empty food tins, we decided against it. PNG has a real issue with rubbish. There is no infrastructure to cater for household and other waste, so the sides of the road are just lined with garbage. Sometimes they’ll set fire to it, but the sheer amount we saw on the way to the resort was deflating. There seems to be no sense of responsibility or pride in their lands. I have always said that PNG could be so beautiful, but it’s not. It’s such a shame.
I’ve always found it amusing that the national’s like to stare at us ‘whities’, particularly the kids. But yesterday it just got to me. Yes, we’re white, get over it! It also started getting to me that being white meant that market sellers like to (a) eagerly harass you to buy their stuff; and (b) then double or triple the price of their wares. While I like to support the market sellers, it gets to me that I’m seen as a meal ticket.
Having said that, I now have a greater appreciation of what indigenous or new Australian’s must feel in a predominantly ‘white’ society.
Matt is also feeling a bit down. Especially after having to be reliant on the convoy yesterday, he’s feeling isolated and stuck. To his credit, he really has been trying by stepping out of his comfort zone and putting himself in more social situations. But being stuck in a compound, usually without a car, is getting to him.
Last night and this morning I’ve been suffering from my first tummy bug. Together with my first tropical head cold, and the power going on and off several times (making all the appliances ‘ding’) made for a crappy night’s sleep. Having no accrued sick leave yet, meant that I had to drag myself to work this morning. I knew I needed some Sudafed, but found that they don’t stock the ‘good stuff’ here (pseudoephedrine), only the crappy replacement one that doesn’t work (phenylephrine).
The silver lining of my little cloud is that I now, really REALLY truly appreciate and love Canberra and Australia. While I did have some sense of appreciation, being here has really made it clear how wonderful and lucky our life at home is.
Thankfully, tomorrow is another day.
Til next time……
Wednesday, 29 October 2014
It's been 4 whole weeks!
Can you believe it? We’ve now been living and functioning in
a foreign country for 4 entire weeks, and in the world’s 3rd least liveable
city, no less!
What’s it been like? Well, it’s been exciting, terrifying, awesome, interesting, entertaining, humbling, exhausting, stressful, frustrating and amazing all at once.
There are things that I love, things that drive me nuts, and things that make me shake my head a laugh.
I also need to stop making naïve assumptions based on my Australian/First World experience. For example, I made a comment to an Aussie expat about how woeful PNG driving standards are and wondered out loud how some people were able to get their driver’s licence. He shook his head and laughed at my assumption that everyone would have a licence.
On the serious side, we’ve been advised that security incidents and robberies tend to increase here in the lead up to Christmas, so to be extra vigilant. The Port Moresby Nature Park that we visited a couple of weekends ago was held up with makeshift guns on Sunday afternoon, and two people were shot. There was also an armed robbery near the Australian High Commission compound in Town. Having said that, I am still yet to hear any gunshots myself. One of my other colleagues said she hears them from her compound almost every night. There have also been reports of a few riots and political uprisings around the provinces, namely Lae, Mt Hagen and Oro. However, there hasn’t appeared to be any of those in Port Moresby since we’ve been here (touch-wood).
To finish off, we had an awesome weekend last weekend. Saturday was a jam packed day. In the morning we set off to the Ela Beach Markets to check out what they had and to watch a ‘sing-sing’. Afterwards we went and did the grocery shopping then headed to the International Food Day at Bree’s school. Many families brought food from their homelands to share, and it was amazing. It was a great experience to be at an international school, eating homemade international cuisine, surrounded by people from all corners of the globe. After our busy Sat, Sunday was a nice leisurely day, just hanging out and swimming at the pool. Our whole weekend reminded me that these experiences are the reason I took the job and brought the family with me.
I was going to post some more pics, but I'll be here all day waiting for them to upload. I'll try again later.
Finally, is anyone reading this blog? If so, please leave a comment so I know who you are.
Till next time....
What’s it been like? Well, it’s been exciting, terrifying, awesome, interesting, entertaining, humbling, exhausting, stressful, frustrating and amazing all at once.
There are things that I love, things that drive me nuts, and things that make me shake my head a laugh.
I also need to stop making naïve assumptions based on my Australian/First World experience. For example, I made a comment to an Aussie expat about how woeful PNG driving standards are and wondered out loud how some people were able to get their driver’s licence. He shook his head and laughed at my assumption that everyone would have a licence.
On the serious side, we’ve been advised that security incidents and robberies tend to increase here in the lead up to Christmas, so to be extra vigilant. The Port Moresby Nature Park that we visited a couple of weekends ago was held up with makeshift guns on Sunday afternoon, and two people were shot. There was also an armed robbery near the Australian High Commission compound in Town. Having said that, I am still yet to hear any gunshots myself. One of my other colleagues said she hears them from her compound almost every night. There have also been reports of a few riots and political uprisings around the provinces, namely Lae, Mt Hagen and Oro. However, there hasn’t appeared to be any of those in Port Moresby since we’ve been here (touch-wood).
To finish off, we had an awesome weekend last weekend. Saturday was a jam packed day. In the morning we set off to the Ela Beach Markets to check out what they had and to watch a ‘sing-sing’. Afterwards we went and did the grocery shopping then headed to the International Food Day at Bree’s school. Many families brought food from their homelands to share, and it was amazing. It was a great experience to be at an international school, eating homemade international cuisine, surrounded by people from all corners of the globe. After our busy Sat, Sunday was a nice leisurely day, just hanging out and swimming at the pool. Our whole weekend reminded me that these experiences are the reason I took the job and brought the family with me.
I was going to post some more pics, but I'll be here all day waiting for them to upload. I'll try again later.
Finally, is anyone reading this blog? If so, please leave a comment so I know who you are.
Till next time....
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| Gorgeous dancers from Bougainville |
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| My boys enjoying the international food |
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| International Food Day |
Friday, 17 October 2014
Another week down......
....and things are starting to feel 'normal'. I'm beginning to feel more at ease and settled here.
Last post I talked about my hideous driver's licence photo. Well, Matt had his done, and while it's not as bad as mine, it was still pretty terrible. I don't know why, but they made both of us tuck our chins in, and the results were not attractive - LOL!
On Sunday, Bree & Lachie were hit with a tummy bug and were really unwell. Lachie was sick again on Tuesday, and they've both been a bit washed out from it. Then Matt came down with something similar last night. I'm still trying to work out how a grown man can moan and complain more than his kids did when they were sick together!
On Wednesday, we visited Duffy's, which is supposed to be the best coffee shop in town. I have to say we were pretty impressed. From the outside, it doesn't look like much, but once you pass through the gates, it's like a little oasis. Coffee was good and strong. It's more expensive than anywhere else for coffee, but it was worth it. We're planning to go again on the weekend, and hopefully it will be our replacement café for our usual Saturday family cuppa.
I finally got to open a local bank account on Tuesday, but it will be another fortnight before I get my card. Until then, we're still having to pay a fortune in overseas transaction fees using our Australian Cards.
Tomorrow we're planning on going to the Holiday Inn craft markets. I'm hoping to get myself a good sized billum to use as a cross-body handbag.
I promise to upload some pics soon.
Til next time.......
Last post I talked about my hideous driver's licence photo. Well, Matt had his done, and while it's not as bad as mine, it was still pretty terrible. I don't know why, but they made both of us tuck our chins in, and the results were not attractive - LOL!
On Sunday, Bree & Lachie were hit with a tummy bug and were really unwell. Lachie was sick again on Tuesday, and they've both been a bit washed out from it. Then Matt came down with something similar last night. I'm still trying to work out how a grown man can moan and complain more than his kids did when they were sick together!
On Wednesday, we visited Duffy's, which is supposed to be the best coffee shop in town. I have to say we were pretty impressed. From the outside, it doesn't look like much, but once you pass through the gates, it's like a little oasis. Coffee was good and strong. It's more expensive than anywhere else for coffee, but it was worth it. We're planning to go again on the weekend, and hopefully it will be our replacement café for our usual Saturday family cuppa.
I finally got to open a local bank account on Tuesday, but it will be another fortnight before I get my card. Until then, we're still having to pay a fortune in overseas transaction fees using our Australian Cards.
Tomorrow we're planning on going to the Holiday Inn craft markets. I'm hoping to get myself a good sized billum to use as a cross-body handbag.
I promise to upload some pics soon.
Til next time.......
Thursday, 9 October 2014
First week recap
We've survived our first week in Port Moresby - yay!
To say I've been on an emotional roller coaster is the understatement of the year. However, the nagging doubts are slowly fading and life is getting easier.
Bree is so happy with her school that she thanked me for bringing her PNG. That has eased my concerns quite a lot. Matt & Lachie are developing a good routine with Lachie's distance education program. We should receive a parcel in the next week or so with work and reading books for him to use. Having said that, Lachie's missing his best buddy from home. Hopefully we can schedule a Skype call for them in the next couple of days.
On Tuesday I finally got my PNG driver's licence. OMG, it took over two hours and the photo is absolutely hideous. The photographer kept telling me to put my chin down, which made my double chin squish out, and because of that I had to almost look upwards, so my eyes look deranged. The best way to describe it is I looked like the alien guy from Men in Black that wore the people's skin.
We've also been making use if the wonders of iMessage. It's enabling us to text home without the international charges - sweet!
To say I've been on an emotional roller coaster is the understatement of the year. However, the nagging doubts are slowly fading and life is getting easier.
Bree is so happy with her school that she thanked me for bringing her PNG. That has eased my concerns quite a lot. Matt & Lachie are developing a good routine with Lachie's distance education program. We should receive a parcel in the next week or so with work and reading books for him to use. Having said that, Lachie's missing his best buddy from home. Hopefully we can schedule a Skype call for them in the next couple of days.
On Tuesday I finally got my PNG driver's licence. OMG, it took over two hours and the photo is absolutely hideous. The photographer kept telling me to put my chin down, which made my double chin squish out, and because of that I had to almost look upwards, so my eyes look deranged. The best way to describe it is I looked like the alien guy from Men in Black that wore the people's skin.
We've also been making use if the wonders of iMessage. It's enabling us to text home without the international charges - sweet!
Friday, 29 August 2014
Day 19: My Favourite Movie
Sorry I didn't blog yesterday. I did remember, however I wasn't feeling too well so I took a day off from blogging.
Today's topic is my favourite movie. That's easy: The Sound of Music. I love love love the Sound of Music. IT is my all time favourite. Some other faves are:
Today's topic is my favourite movie. That's easy: The Sound of Music. I love love love the Sound of Music. IT is my all time favourite. Some other faves are:
- The Wedding Singer
- Reality Bites
- The Blues Brothers
In PNG news, The highschool Bree was enrolled to attend next year will allow us to defer her enrolment rather than withdraw. We're so relieved. Today I had me employment medical, had two removal companies come to give quotes and mailed off Lachie's distance education application.
I've also started looking at rental accommodation in Port Moresby. I think we'll probably look at staying in serviced apartments initially until our container arrives, then move into our own place.
If everything goes to plan (visas etc) I'll be leaving Australia to start our adventure in 3 weeks, with Matt and the kids joining me at the end of term 3.
Things are getting exciting (and busy) So, til next time.....
Sunday, 24 August 2014
Day 15: Where will I be in 5 years?
Ooh, I like today's blog challenge topic. This is a good one, especially as my career has taken such a different direction in just the last couple of months.
Before my recent change of events, I would have envisaged myself probably plodding along the path of life. However, with the decision to move overseas now been made, a whole new world of opportunity has opened up. So who knows what the future holds?
In 5yrs time, Lachie will be in his second last year of primary school, and Bree will be in her final year of highschool and preparing for university.
Matt and I will be in our 40's and will hopefully have travelled far and wide. Maybe after being a 'kept-man' during our deployment to PNG, Matt will score himself a lucrative employment contract that will allow me to be the stay-at-home parent in a tropical location ;)
Speaking of PNG, my contract is signed and ready to be scanned and emailed through tomorrow! This is going to be HUGE!
Til next time......
Before my recent change of events, I would have envisaged myself probably plodding along the path of life. However, with the decision to move overseas now been made, a whole new world of opportunity has opened up. So who knows what the future holds?
In 5yrs time, Lachie will be in his second last year of primary school, and Bree will be in her final year of highschool and preparing for university.
Matt and I will be in our 40's and will hopefully have travelled far and wide. Maybe after being a 'kept-man' during our deployment to PNG, Matt will score himself a lucrative employment contract that will allow me to be the stay-at-home parent in a tropical location ;)
Speaking of PNG, my contract is signed and ready to be scanned and emailed through tomorrow! This is going to be HUGE!
Til next time......
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