Saying goodbye...

[stewart]

Originally Posted by Janice

Hi all,

Now we have done 2 rekkis to perth and have made a final decision to emigrate in Nov this year. Now I have the awful task of telling everyone especially my parents. This is really taking the shine off the excitment as I know they will be devastated. Although it has been on the cards for a couple of years, it is now much more real. How do people cope saying goodbye, especially at the airport?
Goin to tell my parents today of our date, wish me luck..

Look on the bright side of it. Your parents and friends have someone to visit for holidays in Aust now.
The worlds a small place these days its not as if if can not go home foer holidays to.

[Janice]

Originally Posted by stewart

Look on the bright side of it. Your parents and friends have someone to visit for holidays in Aust now.
The worlds a small place these days its not as if if can not go home foer holidays to.

too right, but try telling my parents that, you would think we were dying, never to be seen again. Im sure they will recover though.... fingers crossed.
jan

[amaslam]

My father was rather cross with me when I said I'd move to AU, but my mother was cautiously optimistic. They visited me every year for a few years and once that had happened they mellowed out.

Families feelings are a tough thing to predict. Some will always hold it against you and others will say 'live and let live', and yet some others will change over time.

My parents are now both in their 70s and retired but they still visit me and enjoy the AU climate and its pace with me.

Originally Posted by Janice

too right, but try telling my parents that, you would think we were dying, never to be seen again. Im sure they will recover though.... fingers crossed.
jan

[GazN]

Hi,

I moved out here in February and saying goodbye was very hard. As the day got closer, my parents (my father especially) got more upset. Like most people on here, I didn't want to say goodbye at the airport or train station, so we stayed the night before at my parents' house and ordered a taxi to take us from there to the airport.

When the moment came we were all in floods of tears and waving goodbye as the taxi took us down the road was awful.

Before we went, I'd taken the time to set them up with Skype, email and the like, and I kept in touch during the journey over, letting them know where we were etc, and once we had settled into the hotel we stayed in for the first couple of weeks, I set up a Skype video call. That really helped as, up until then, my last memory of them was of them both in floods of tears probably the most unhappy that I'd ever seen them.

The mood was much better during the Skype call, and it was great to see them smiling again. We now have a weekly call which really helps. Sure, it's not the same as being there, but it means we can see each other, and during birthdays etc, we have opened presents 'online' which is nice. We even made a birthday cake for my mum with a candle she 'blew out' over Skype. Silly things, but it makes it all a bit easier.

I miss them, and I'm looking forward to popping back to visit them sometime next year, but modern technology has made the world a lot smaller .

[Janice]

Originally Posted by GazN

Hi,

I moved out here in February and saying goodbye was very hard. As the day got closer, my parents (my father especially) got more upset. Like most people on here, I didn't want to say goodbye at the airport or train station, so we stayed the night before at my parents' house and ordered a taxi to take us from there to the airport.

When the moment came we were all in floods of tears and waving goodbye as the taxi took us down the road was awful.

Before we went, I'd taken the time to set them up with Skype, email and the like, and I kept in touch during the journey over, letting them know where we were etc, and once we had settled into the hotel we stayed in for the first couple of weeks, I set up a Skype video call. That really helped as, up until then, my last memory of them was of them both in floods of tears probably the most unhappy that I'd ever seen them.

he mood was much better during the Skype call, and it was great to see them smiling again. We now have a weekly call which really helps. Sure, it's not the same as being there, but it means we can see each other, and during birthdays etc, we have opened presents 'online' which is nice. We even made a birthday cake for my mum with a candle she 'blew out' over Skype. Silly things, but it makes it all a bit easier.

I miss them, and I'm looking forward to popping back to visit them sometime next year, but modern technology has made the world a lot smaller .

Hi,

Hi,

I'm not the greatest with the computer but I get by and have used Skype a few times. How do you set all that up before you go etc, so you can make contact right away. I had it in my head that we wouldn't be able to use the comp until we were settled in a rental with all the phone lines in etc. Any advice much appreciated as it will make things so much easier. Ps loved ya cake idea...
Cheers jan

[scottishcelts]

Hello Janice, it's not easy at all, we too had loads of 'goodbye' parties but nothing prepares you for the big journey. I decided to stay strong the whole way through and I never cried once, I convinced myself I was in control and doing a grand job lol

Then the big day arrived and both our families insisted they were coming with us to the airport so that was that. Well I broke down at the airport didn't I and I felt so awful and for a second though I couldn't go through with it. But, of course, once we were on the plane I felt excited (and scared too!) but I couldn't help but feel how unhappy all our family were that we just left at the airport.

NO matter what, it's going to be difficult, just take one day at a time and keep your wits about you and stay strong minded - you will get through it all and once you are on the plane all you can focus on is the road ahead once you land.

I wish you luck

[GazN]

Originally Posted by Janice

Hi,

Hi,

I'm not the greatest with the computer but I get by and have used Skype a few times. How do you set all that up before you go etc, so you can make contact right away. I had it in my head that we wouldn't be able to use the comp until we were settled in a rental with all the phone lines in etc. Any advice much appreciated as it will make things so much easier. Ps loved ya cake idea...
Cheers jan

It's easier once you are in a rental etc, but you can do it on the move quite easily these days. I have one of the small "net book" laptops which I took on the flight as hand luggage. I was able to log onto a wireless connection at all airports to send email, and skype and I had made sure that our initial accomodation had a broadband connection too. It wasn't cheap (except for Singapore airport where it was free), but it did mean we could keep in touch. Oh, don't forget to take your charger and plug adapter. Once you are in Australia, quite a few coffee shops have wireless, so you should be able to connect somewhere before your own landline is set up.

Hope that helps,

Gaz.

[Janice]

Originally Posted by GazN

It's easier once you are in a rental etc, but you can do it on the move quite easily these days. I have one of the small "net book" laptops which I took on the flight as hand luggage. I was able to log onto a wireless connection at all airports to send email, and skype and I had made sure that our initial accomodation had a broadband connection too. It wasn't cheap (except for Singapore airport where it was free), but it did mean we could keep in touch. Oh, don't forget to take your charger and plug adapter. Once you are in Australia, quite a few coffee shops have wireless, so you should be able to connect somewhere before your own landline is set up.

Hope that helps,

Gaz.

Okay Cheers for that, Im not so bothered keeping in contact at the airports, but do want to contact everyone once we arrive to see if they are all feeling better and to show them that we are doing fine...
jan

[anj1976]

in my opinion u shud, so they know u r fine and if u break down again they wouldn't tk it very well. u shud contact them with smiling voice so that will make them feel better. they would atleast feel, you are happy and made the right choice

[twinkle-toes]

I'm gonna be having that same problem soon. Will be heading for brisbane end september ALONE. will be flying alone/living alone - dunno anyone at all, starting a new adventure. it's frightening and unnerving! eek!

it hasn't sunk in yet, but i know i'll start feeling homesick closer to the time of departure.