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Grant Came What next from my perspective

446K views 1K replies 416 participants last post by  Durdana 
#1 ·
:):):) Grant Came What next from my prospective :):):)

:):):) Requesting to leave this thread in the general viewing area please than moving it to The Platypus Den, as I will be providing few granular insights which will be helpful for newbies. :):):)

Appreciate your cooperation in advance.

Please ignore grammar mistakes; spelling mistakes.

Many suggested to write a blog; I though its better to write in this forum itself as it had helped me a lot and its my way of giving something meaningful.

:tea::tea::tea: Take a small cup of tea/coffee/beverage of your choice and come with me on a journey :tea::tea::tea:​
 
#2 · (Edited)
And here comes the second edition. Eagerly had been waiting for such a writeup from your end.
Waiting for the details....... :)
 
#3 ·
Ok buddies. Here we go again........ :) :) :)

Like my previous thread, Prospective on Australian PR VISA - http://www.expatforum.com/expats/au...ian-skilled-independent-189-visa-my-view.html

Sit back enjoy the journey.

Once again requesting moderators to leave it in public viewing area than moving to P'Den.

As many people will benefit from this.

I got the GRANT for myself and family on April 2nd week with initial / first entry date as March 2016. How to get maximum time between VISA grant and IED? Read my previous thread, link pasted above.

Had predicted exact date of the grant notification and it reached my mail box. Was happy on that day.

Gave a treat to my entire team in office and also disclosed the fact that I got permanent residency VISA. ;) :D

Few were happy, few were surprised and few might have other feelings in their heart. But overall everyone were happy for me.

My plans were to safe money, upskill myself and make a move with family during 1st week of March 2016. Wife and kid would come back, I will stay back DownUnder to proceed with my job hunt.

This was a rough stretch which I had made.

In life I always tried my best to follow two approaches.

Professional Life :
You need to know where you are.
You need to know where you want to go.
What should I need do to reach the goal.

In a more easier words.

Similar to traveling from Bangalore to Madras. You need to know you are in Bangalore or not to start with. Later determine what mode of transport and when you want to commute, plan it and execute it.

Here I would suggest you to go through Dunning–Kruger effect, very interesting in-terms of assessing ones confident levels and presumptions

Personal Life :
Just have rough sketches. I never had hard and fast rules. Adaptability helped me.

Its like walking on a dark trekking path with a torchlight, which gives 10 meter visibility only.
You cover 1 meter you get visibility of 11th meter.

I hope you are getting it.

You never know what life throws at you.

Why this above philosophical words.???

My wife got an internal job offer in her current company. The onsite hiring HR and Hiring Manager were fine with her skills and exposure and wanted to join the onshore team as soon as possible.

Location Brisbane Queens Land. During May 1st week.

We were delighted as we can breath a little easy. If one gets the job, it will be easier for the other to search for job.

However, in couple days dreams shattered. Current project`s operations manager was not willing to release her from the project even with two months notice period. Saying reasons like you are a senior resource, lot of dependencies on you, bill ability will be affected. I cannot release you nor I can confirm the reliving date, after September`15 I will think about it. But, not now.

Next week, my wife gave me an ultimatum.

Either you go and search job or I am going alone to search job in Australia.

As a married person, does the husband has any-other choice left? When his wife raises such red flags

Yes, you guessed it. Answer is yes, I agreed to go first even though its a fast tracking of over previous plan of 2016, let me take a brunt of migration. :D:D:D

FYI - I have never been to an overseas country not even Nepal or Bhutan. Never crossed Indian border. Unlike my spouse who has visited several countries.

The prospect of leaving a comfortable, settled and balanced life in motherland and resigning for a major MNC & becoming jobless fellow after a decade that too in a totally alien country, hunting for flight tickets, accommodation, job etc etc dawned on me.

Gave me nightmarish jitters. I suppose every if not most persons who had crossed this phase had or might have gone through these mixed emotions.

Life in India started looking really really great.

Somehow mustered confidence and resigned from my current company after serving for quite some years.

Special mention to my friends (BG; Sura; Bobby; and many more) who backed and gave confidence to me whenever I felt down.

KT in office was another nightmare experience.

It was like MS Dhoni trying to teach & train a Bollywood personal how to bat and captain the Indian Men`s Cricket team. :eek::eek::eek:

Two months of plain horror day in day out with me beating my head during smoke breaks repeatedly among friends. Saying repeatedly, folks this is not on, I am suffering big time with this KT.

The icing on the cake was during last three days in office. I really came to know who were the real well wishers and who is THE back stabber and who is the pure ugly person in heart and intend masquerading as GOD fearing person. Weird!!! :confused2:

I wish none goes through such experiences.

On a brighter side, I got support and well wishes from the most unlikely of people. People with whom I had hardly interacted with, that was a surprise and lifted my moral big time. A big hug and thanks folks. You people made a big difference in my thought process. I cannot name them as it is a bigger list.

I was in tears to leave the company which was one of my dream company during my job hunt after college.

Even our office juice and tea vendors gave a small token present to me on the occasion and hugged me.

It showed magnanimity of people are based on how big their hearts were and not based on their position in office.


The last hand shakes were given to my office security personals as they removed my vehicles office logo stickers.

My friends mentioned above were all supporting me through-out till I boarded the bus from the city. Thanks buddies. ;)

Journey begins in few days (not in weeks). Elaborating on flight tickets, carrying money and the master list shortly

Hope so, it is not boring.!!!
 
#25 ·
Ok buddies. Here we go again........ :) :) :)


Gave me nightmarish jitters. I suppose every if not most persons who had crossed this phase had or might have gone through these mixed emotions.

Life in India started looking really really great.
Absolutely. Ever since my visa grant arrived, life is India has started sounding fantabulous.

All those things that seemed quite nagging and frustrating here, have started to look 'manageable' and tolerable.

While some people may be dreaming of the day they land in Oz, I seem to be looking at the IED and hoping that it doesn't arrive too soon.

Is it just me, or it happens with others as well?
 
#4 ·
Flight; Room and Money

Flight tickets:

I was little clueless on how to proceed with this.

The usual ticket fares based on the online updates from people were roughly between 30K INR to 50K INR with 40KG luggages.

I was telling this during a conversation with one of my online EF friends who is based out of Qatar (K Raman) he immediately gave the answer.

" Book in AirAsia boss. They are giving Briyani too, ticket rate is only 18K INR "

Logged on to AirAsia site. Booked the flight tickets, for 1st week of August.

Total cost 18.6 INR inclusive of seat selection; inflight food; 30 KG checked-in luggage and 7K + Laptop hand baggage.

Route was from Tiruchirappalli via Kuala Lumpur to Sydney. Waiting 7 hours at KL.


It was fine with me, for a person without job and need to run on budget. This was a fair deal or awesome deal, isn't it?

I was OK, to wait for 7 hours in Kuala Lumpur airport. Said to myself, thats fine. You can explore the airport.

Now, that the date is fixed started working on accommodation.



Accommodation:

Was checking in mobile groups and online sites for accommodations. Nothing seemed to work much.

Then came that offer of help from Manny, one of ex colleague and he is also from my hometown.

He said there is a vacancy in my room would like to join. Agreed to it immediately in seconds without pretending or bargaining on the room-rents.

Now I had a place to go in Sydney. Room-rent was something like $200 per week with two people sharing a room WiFi and cooking on sharing or individual basis. We cook for all four us together. ;)

It was basically a 2BHK house in Strathfield Sydney.

In-case you dont get any its quite easy to get room-shares. Book an accommodation using AirBnB or Flatshare or Gumtree for couple of days or a week. Explore the place and fix your accommodations.

Carrying Money:

I had given my car to my sister. We had agreed on an amount.

So, thats going to be my initial investment in this job hunt venture till my PF and other financial benefits comes by.

Divided that amount into half and loaded one half onto travel card and other half as cash.

bookymforex is a good place. But, I suppose you need a flight ticket.

If booked before 12pm or 2pm, they deliver stuffs on the same day. Have delivery at home services too at a premium.

Opening bank account. In-case you are traveling alone, better to come here and open a bank account.

I opened after reaching here. The reason is you can walk to the branch which near to your home than going to some unknown location which you pre-booked before reaching here. Rest your call ;)

Opened a NAB isafer classic account. More about it later when I explain on each day what I did.

I hope you are reading or have you slept off half way through buddies, wake-up wake-up ;) ;)
 
#209 ·
Flight tickets:

I was little clueless on how to proceed with this.

The usual ticket fares based on the online updates from people were roughly between 30K INR to 50K INR with 40KG luggages.

I was telling this during a conversation with one of my online EF friends who is based out of Qatar (K Raman) he immediately gave the answer.

" Book in AirAsia boss. They are giving Briyani too, ticket rate is only 18K INR "

Logged on to AirAsia site. Booked the flight tickets, for 1st week of August.

Total cost 18.6 INR inclusive of seat selection; inflight food; 30 KG checked-in luggage and 7K + Laptop hand baggage.

Route was from Tiruchirappalli via Kuala Lumpur to Sydney. Waiting 7 hours at KL.


It was fine with me, for a person without job and need to run on budget. This was a fair deal or awesome deal, isn't it?

I was OK, to wait for 7 hours in Kuala Lumpur airport. Said to myself, thats fine. You can explore the airport.

Now, that the date is fixed started working on accommodation.



Accommodation:

Was checking in mobile groups and online sites for accommodations. Nothing seemed to work much.

Then came that offer of help from Manny, one of ex colleague and he is also from my hometown.

He said there is a vacancy in my room would like to join. Agreed to it immediately in seconds without pretending or bargaining on the room-rents.

Now I had a place to go in Sydney. Room-rent was something like $200 per week with two people sharing a room WiFi and cooking on sharing or individual basis. We cook for all four us together. ;)

It was basically a 2BHK house in Strathfield Sydney.

In-case you dont get any its quite easy to get room-shares. Book an accommodation using AirBnB or Flatshare or Gumtree for couple of days or a week. Explore the place and fix your accommodations.

Carrying Money:

I had given my car to my sister. We had agreed on an amount.

So, thats going to be my initial investment in this job hunt venture till my PF and other financial benefits comes by.

Divided that amount into half and loaded one half onto travel card and other half as cash.

bookymforex is a good place. But, I suppose you need a flight ticket.

If booked before 12pm or 2pm, they deliver stuffs on the same day. Have delivery at home services too at a premium.

Opening bank account. In-case you are traveling alone, better to come here and open a bank account.

I opened after reaching here. The reason is you can walk to the branch which near to your home than going to some unknown location which you pre-booked before reaching here. Rest your call ;)

Opened a NAB isafer classic account. More about it later when I explain on each day what I did.

I hope you are reading or have you slept off half way through buddies, wake-up wake-up ;) ;)
Hi Manthan,

Really appreciate your sharing this. I have been following your posts for a while and have benefitted from them. Please accept my heartfelt gratitude.
Can you share with us why you chose Sydney for jobhunting?
Also, is there a good time to come? As an example, will it be better to come by Jun end or Jul beginning?

Thanks again!
 
#5 ·
Check list

Check List:

+++++++++++++
Stationary
+++++++++++++


1.Passport size photos – 30 and digital copies
2.Original certificates (Work experience certificates; Certification copies; Educational certificates and others)
3.Resume copies
4.Certificate Xerox
5.Files for documents - 2
6.Notebook; Pen and Pencils
7.Books – study materials – Thinking of carrying soft copies
8.Grant copies - 5
9.Driving License; PAN card; Aaadhar Card
10.Forex Travel card
11.NAB Bank account details (yet to open)
12.Ticket copy – 3 copies
13.Laptop with charger - 1
14.Tab with charger - 1
15.Mobile with charger- 1
16.Australian power Adapter – 3
17.USB drive – 16GB / 32 GB

+++++++++++++
Cloths
+++++++++++++


1.Suits – 2 pairs. Plenty of ties.
2.Innerwear’s – 5 pairs vests and briefs
3.Lungis and night cloths – 3 each
4.Formal pants - 7
5.Formal shirts - 10
6.Jeans and T-shirts – 4J and 10T
7.Bed Raasai - 1
8.Thermalwear – 3 pairs
9.Winterwears and Jackets – 1 each

+++++++++++++
Food Items:
+++++++++++++


1.Idly powder – 200 gm
2.Sambar powder – 200 gm
3.Chilli powder – 100 gm
4.Kulambu powder – 100 gm
5.Egg curry masala – 100 gm
6.Chicken and mutton masala – 100 gm each
7.Biryani mix – 200 gm
8.Pepper powder – 50 gm
9.Jeera powder – 50 gm
10.Mustard – 50 gm
11.Salt – 200 gm
12.Ready-made mixes – 500 gm

+++++++++++++
Groceries:
+++++++++++++


1.Washing powder – 1kg
2.Washing soap – three cakes
3.Shampoo – 1 bottle
4.Bath soap – 3 bars
5.Shaving cream and razor – 1 poach and 2 blades
6.Cloth clips – 20
7.Hangers - 10
8.Shoes and socks – 2 formals; 2 informal and 1 slippers
9.Shoe polish and brush – one and 1 (black and brown)
10.Hair Oil – 200 ml
11.Comb - 3
12.Towels - 3
13.Hair gel – 2
14.Deodorant – 3
15.Ear buds
16.Tooth pricks
17.Nail cutter
18.Needle and thread
19.Hair Dye
20.Tooth Brush (2) and paste (1)
21.Scissors
22.Quick fix
23.Staplers and pins

+++++++++++++
Appliances
+++++++++++++


1.Iron Box
2.Electric Rice cooker
3.Plates, spoons, tumbler
4.Water bottle
5.Tiffin box

Now the challenge was to fit everything in 30KG luggage. Totally forgot that I can carry 7KG of cabin baggage because of office stress, may be.

I didnt take few items intentionally as some of the items were there with my roommates and few things I genuinely forgot.

For example the full winter Jacket.

I had bough two winterwear jackets, one full hand and other half sleeve.

While driving to Airport in the morning halfway through wife asked with anxious facial expression, Where is your Jacket.?

As usual I showed that famous bemused facial expression of an Indian Husband's absent mindedness caught by his wife and pretended to be asleep. :( ;) :D

I also forgot to bring the comb, ended-up buying it for $5. Which would have costed something like Rs.5 or Rs.10 INR basic one. :( ;)
 
#6 · (Edited)
Flight Travel and Landing

Ok now emotional scenes, I will not narrate further in detail.

All I could say was it was difficult to leave wife behind, it was VERY difficult to leave my 2+ year old daughter. Even though my head set its for her future, its for her future.

Gave the ticket copy, passport at the checkin area to AirAsia folks. Then filled in that immigration form and provided the grant copy to immigration officials.

The waiting started.

I was calling my near and dear ones to say good byes.

Flight journey was fine.

Please note, this was my 1st travel across Indian border, so I am no expert of internal air travel.

I am 5'9" and the seat was fine in an economy class of AirAsia. Food was also fine. A lady co-passenger requested for a seat change, politely declined it and told her I wanted to see the Indian Coast line disappear from view as this was my first overseas travel. She was an Indian Tamil origin Malaysian Citizen.

Ok travel to KL was ontime.

There was a group of Chinese travelers who did not understand where to go and what to do as they did not know to speak or read English. They were heading

towards Bali in Indonesia. Took them with me to international transfer and guided them towards their flight gates. ( As if I am a regular overseas traveler commuting a lot ;) ) On seeing Thanks from these Chinese group few more people approached me for directions and guidance. I tried my best to be honest.

One thing that helped me was I have the ability of scanning the surroundings in quick time and set my bearings right, which enabled in identifying, comprehending signs and maps. Most of the time I tried to project a confident or assured body language coupled with willingness to assist not over confident nor show-off.

Waited for 7 hours in airport.

Had food twice, took plenty of photos, charged tab and mobile. Watched some bits and pieces of some action movies. Hours rolled by.

At Malaysia security personal ask reason for travel and validate you are the person in the passport either by appearance or asking to sign.

Boarded the flight had food twice inflight, all pre-booked.

Travel was smooth. New dawn, new beginning.

Landed at Sydney International airport.


Point to note, use the rest room before picking up your checked-in luggage. It will be practically difficult and cumbersome if you had to use the restroom or washroom if you are traveling alone along with number of bags.

Another point to note, do fill-in the immigration form before hand before disembarking from the flight. It helps a lot. I did saw many people filling the form while in queue. They were asked to stand outside the queue and join back once they have completed filling.

Talk confidently and clearly with the immigration personal with a smile. This is the place you get the stamping on your arrival date. No need for VISA copy. Having said that, better to have a copy in an easily accessible location, just in case they ask for it.

Be prepared and be aware of your surroundings, you will be fine. This is for new bee travelers like me ;) not for the experts ;)

Also note, there will be Sydney guide books, do pick them. These have offer coupons in them. I saw a group of people from one of my neighboring country (red giant) picking up 5 books per person weird!!!

Just before taking the checked-in baggage, there will be immigration officials roaming around talking to people whether they had anything to declare. I had
declared I had food. The official signed and stamped something after seeing the declaration card. Picked my luggage and went to the scanning queue.

All fine after scanning no further checks. I had vastly reduced food items after my luggage weight hit critical point.

Walked out of airport, took the prepaid mobile connection, just passport is fine to take this mobile connection. Lebera $29 plan with India calling facilities.

Trust me I did not check in detail on the tariffs as I was little anxious. If you need excellent details about plans, please check on mobile service providers sites. :D :D

Called home immediately to inform I had reached Sydney safely. SIM card gets activated in an instant. ;)

Also took Opal Card at the airport to use Trains, Buses and Ferries in NSW.

Walked out of the airport towards the taxi stand. Its quite straight forward, walk towards left diagonally or ask anyone.

In-case you carry light weight bags with less luggage weight, then you can use the trains. Most stations have lift facilities, so dont worry for carrying the luggage on platform staircases.

I took taxi, it costed me $45, Airport to Strathfield. He dropped me at the drop step.

House was very good. I just jumped onto the bed and slept off, the date was August 4th 2015 Tuesday.

Today is August 24th and it has been a roller coaster ride so far..... more to come folks.

Hang in there...

The fight begins soon :boxing::boxing::boxing:

Next Centerlink; Medicare; Bank account; TFN number and ah the job hunting
 
#10 ·
Ok now emotional scenes, I will not narrate further in detail.

All I could say was it was difficult to leave wife behind, it was VERY difficult to leave my 2+ year old daughter. Even though my head set its for her future, its for her future.

Gave the ticket copy, passport at the checkin area to AirAsia folks. Then filled in that immigration form and provided the grant copy to immigration officials.

The waiting started.

I was calling my near and dear ones to say good byes.

Flight journey was fine.

Please note, this was my 1st travel across Indian border, so I am no expert of internal air travel.

I am 5'9" and the seat was fine in an economy class of AirAsia. Food was also fine. A lady co-passenger requested for a seat change, politely declined it and told her I wanted to see the Indian Coast line disappear from view as this was my first overseas travel. She was an Indian Tamil origin Malaysian Citizen.

Ok travel to KL was ontime.

There was a group of Chinese travelers who did not understand where to go and what to do as they did not know to speak or read English. They were heading

towards Bali in Indonesia. Took them with me to international transfer and guided them towards their flight gates. ( As if I am a regular overseas traveler commuting a lot ;) ) On seeing Thanks from these Chinese group few more people approached me for directions and guidance. I tried my best to be honest.

One thing that helped me was I have the ability of scanning the surroundings in quick time and set my bearings right, which enabled in identifying, comprehending signs and maps. Most of the time I tried to project a confident or assured body language coupled with willingness to assist not over confident nor show-off.

Waited for 7 hours in airport.

Had food twice, took plenty of photos, charged tab and mobile. Watched some bits and pieces of some action movies. Hours rolled by.

At Malaysia security personal ask reason for travel and validate you are the person in the passport either by appearance or asking to sign.

Boarded the flight had food twice inflight, all pre-booked.

Travel was smooth. New dawn, new beginning.

Landed at Sydney International airport.


Point to note, use the rest room before picking up your checked-in luggage. It will be practically difficult and cumbersome if you had to use the restroom or washroom if you are traveling alone along with number of bags.

Another point to note, do fill-in the immigration form before hand before disembarking from the flight. It helps a lot. I did saw many people filling the form while in queue. They were asked to stand outside the queue and join back once they have completed filling.

Talk confidently and clearly with the immigration personal with a smile. This is the place you get the stamping on your arrival date. No need for VISA copy. Having said that, better to have a copy in an easily accessible location, just in case they ask for it.

Be prepared and be aware of your surroundings, you will be fine. This is for new bee travelers like me ;) not for the experts ;)

Also note, there will be Sydney guide books, do pick them. These have offer coupons in them. I saw a group of people from one of my neighboring country (red giant) picking up 5 books per person weird!!!

Just before taking the checked-in baggage, there will be immigration officials roaming around talking to people whether they had anything to declare. I had
declared I had food. The official signed and stamped something after seeing the declaration card. Picked my luggage and went to the scanning queue.

All fine after scanning no further checks. I had vastly reduced food items after my luggage weight hit critical point.

Walked out of airport, took the prepaid mobile connection, just passport is fine to take this mobile connection. Lebera $29 plan with India calling facilities.

Trust me I did not check in detail on the tariffs as I was little anxious. If you need excellent details about plans, please check on mobile service providers sites. :D :D

Called home immediately to inform I had reached Sydney safely. SIM card gets activated in an instant. ;)

Also took Opal Card at the airport to use Trains, Buses and Ferries in NSW.

Walked out of the airport towards the taxi stand. Its quite straight forward, walk towards left diagonally or ask anyone.

In-case you carry light weight bags with less luggage weight, then you can use the trains. Most stations have lift facilities, so dont worry for carrying the luggage on platform staircases.

I took taxi, it costed me $45, Airport to Strathfield. He dropped me at the drop step.

House was very good. I just jumped onto the bed and slept off, the date was August 4th 2015 Tuesday.

Today is August 24th and it has been a roller coaster ride so far..... more to come folks.

Hang in there...

The fight begins soon :boxing::boxing::boxing:

Next Centerlink; Medicare; Bank account; TFN number and ah the job hunting
keep them coming!! awesome write up....i guess you are tamilian..:)
 
#9 ·
ok its too late in here now 02:40 hours AEST.

Going to sleep.

Meet you all soon folks. Post comments in-case you liked the above narration ;) :) :D

Is this flow OK? or any changes to the narrating style needed.

If you are already in Sydney and have not got my contact number, send me an PM.

Lets stay connected.
 
#21 ·
Excellent Write-up buddy. My Job Code is also 261313 and I will be landing in Sydney sometime during October-November. All these details will come in very useful that time :D
 
#12 ·
BTW I was just curious if you can go to a local store and check whether which stuff you took is there at approx same price as a lots of people will save lots of luggage if they get the idea.
I think things like blanket/jacket inners etc should've been of approx same price.
 
  • Like
Reactions: smaikap
#13 ·
You cannot find better clothes in Australia when compared to india,especially jeans it's far more better to buy skinny fit jeans as its a trend at aus.
 
#14 ·
Awesome Mathan.... ;-) loved your comb incident... Ohh man.. That shows there are no room for error... Even in smallest things... Keep up.. Loving it..
 
#16 ·
Thanks a lot Mathan for sharing your experiences. Hope to soon read the rest of it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: nicemathan
#17 ·
As precise and crisp as ever. Man I feel as its not you alone but I am taking the journey with you.
That's the making of a good writer.
Eagerly waiting for the next part like I used to wait for the second part. I remember waiting like this for Amish Tripathi's second book.

Great Work.
 
#19 ·
Great topic man, please keep them coming ... it was like having a front raw seat in a cinema watching a movie about your journey. Can't wait for the next part ..

Good luck and hope you find the job you are looking for soon & be reunited with your family again.
 
  • Like
Reactions: chiffonscarf
#20 ·
Thank you for sharing your experiences. Please do keep us updated. :D
 
#22 ·
Hi mathan,
Beautiful writing. It was as if I was invisibly present during your journey. I can literally see your face reaction when you forgot to take the jacket and your wife found out.:D
Keep writing. Waiting for the next installment.
 
  • Like
Reactions: braich.abhijeet
#23 ·
Great post
 
#24 ·
Awesome!
I can plan my trip accordingly now ss some basic insites you have given which are really helpful.
I would b moving to Sydney soon.
Thanks for telling that mobile sim activation happens instantly ..this helps to stay in touch.
Waiting for next posts
 
#26 ·
Before I discuss further on my experience DownUnder.

Would like to state the kind of options which I had looked upon but was not particularly interested in pursing them.

Some reasons were thrown out by spouse and rest were deemed as not suitable by my buddies mentioned in the first part of this thread.

1) Use the holidays which I had accumulated over years of service, go DownUnder and hunt for job.
2) Take leave on lose of pay or sabbatical leave and go for job hunt.
3) This one is quite interesting folk :- Put down papers, during the last few weeks of notice period get a job offer in India tell the new company two months notice period. Pack off from the current company as you have already served the notice period. Go for job hunt. If successful, ignore the job offer, if not the job offer can be used as safety net. I felt its cheating the company who will be waiting for me to join them.
4) Take spouse with you. The probability of either one from the family getting a job offer is doubled. Also moral support will be there.
5) Go alone, face the music and dance to the tune. Either Bharatanatyam, hip hop, classical, jazz, salsa, or whatever....

After weighing the pros and cons of each of the options, I decided to go alone as most of immigrants usually do.

My parents did not meddle in my decisions, all they had to say was.

Son, you are a grown-up adult, a husband, and a father.
We hope whatever decision you make will be a wise step and we will support you if not for financial support, our blessings are always with you.

Trust me, if I were a superstitious person, I wouldn't have boarded the flight heading to Sydney. In the last two weeks, all sort unforeseen minor events and instances were happening repeatedly and regularly. Probably, I was stressing out and was seeing only those. You never know.

The eyes see what the mind wants them to see.

Missed our kid in a big crowded shopping mall during a weekend for close to 10mins (felt like ever those minutes) and our daughter came back to us after her own set of window shopping. Nightmare nightmare, I wish and hope none should experience such situations. Seriously, it makes you go crazy and feel helpless. Which makes you run like mad, crazy person, calling her out in the crowd. We became more vigilant and protective with our kid from then on.

Our baby sitter or in-house maid was kidnapped and returned back after few days. I will not explain this case further.

For example, went to one of my favorite temple in Thiruvathavur early in the morning (birth place of Manikkavasakar), I was the only person sitting infront of the main deity. After the early morning abhishagum and pooja, when the priest was about to light the aarthi to the lord, the alter went off. Is it a bad omen ? God only knows.

A simple straight forward bookmyforex transaction was becoming complicated, forgot to take the passport, there was no online copy of my passport, trust me I didnt have :( luckily my spouse didnt yell at me :)

Forgot my laptop in Kumar Mess restaurant after lunch and had to run back to it after half an hour to find the laptop in the same place where I left.

Went to get blessing from elders of the family, fell from the bike, missed by a whisker a massive head injure at my temple.

Bird droppings on head.

Slipper strip cutting off.

These are the stuffs which I remember from top of my head.

There were quite a many more, even my ever optimistic spouse also was little upset with these experiences.

Next is Sydney from a totally new person's view point. When you are new to a place you tend to notice even a minor thing which is different from usual routine or belief. They are coming next.

Hang in there buddies :):):)
 
#29 ·
Few things which I noticed

Reached Sydney on 4th of August. Slept off the entire day.

As per earlier plan till the last day of my travel I was to wait at the airport for 5 hours and then go to house address, as all my roommates go for work during day.

Fortunate for me and unfortunate for one of my roommate, he had twisted his ankle and was working from home that day. Super, I narrowly avoided the prospect of sitting in airport for 5 more hours after the travel.

Felt it was little colder than the place where I lived for just over a decade in a city which had one of the best climate in India.

As a new comer to Sydney these are some of the stuffs which caught my eyes immediately.

1) There was this button at each traffic pole if pressed, will give a green signal for pedestrians to cross the road, based on the inbuilt algorithm.
2) People seem to have good road or traffic sense.
3) All most all the cars were automatic. I am still coming to terms on the number plates, in India it was usually like this KA for Karnataka; TN for Tamil Nadu, UK for Uttraakand, so on,I suppose the naming could be bought and you can right whatever you want within few guidelines and the plates have unique chip in them. Not very sure.
4) Variety of cars running on the roads and different ethnic groups had some pattern to their unique taste of cars I suppose.
5) Outside food are costly based on the menu. They are smelling really awesome, each time I cross the those plaza areas. Will try all or most of them once I have enough cash in my hand.
6) People usually greeted or smiled when you see them with a smiley face.
7) Even police personal smile at you and say how are you today, mate. Cops greeting a civilian.!!!
8) In one road crossing I was waiting for a car to pass-by as there was no traffic signal. The car stopped and driver waived his hand towards me to cross the
road, surprise. Back in my country none does that, I have not done it while driving in most occasions. Later came to know if the pedestrian sign (Radium board with legs pic on it) is there, the pedestrian has the right to walk and the vehicle had to stop.
9) How to handle round about, 1st exit 2nd exit 3rd exit 4th exit. Always leave way for the person in right hand side.
10) Not much honking by motorist. If the driver was unhappy with the way the other driver is driving, they usually flash the indicator or head lights thank honking.
11) Usage of Opal card. I suppose these type of technology has reached the metros in India, I didnt get much chances to use them regularly, so these were quite new for me. Swipe in and swipe out.
12) Recharging the Opal Card using the Kiosk
13) Lifts in train station, escalators with bigger inclinations than I had used earlier.
14) Buttons near seats, that red buttons in yellow rode, to press if you had to get down from bus at the next stops.
15) If the opal card had been used regularly for 4 days of the week and completed 8 trips, rest of the trips for that week is FREE. It includes buses, trains and ferries.
16) Train seats can be oriented towards the direction in which the train is traveling.
17) Maximizing the number of passengers by using double Deckers.
18) I usually pay and prepare coffee using the 7 Eleven coffee vending machine. Later came to know you can prepare the coffee and pay. Need to try that ice cream makers soon. Scared if I will get cold. $1 for a regular coffee, if prepared by a person the same size coffee would cost $3.5 roughly.
19) No separate seats for ladies. Reserved seats are only for aged people and alternatively abled people, Hurrah!! now no aunty will ask me to get up from my seat, saying in that threatening & commanding tone "ladies seat." Having said that got up from my seat for a kid, his father was quite happy by that gesture.
20) I reckon people saw me little weirdly when I wore hand glows during my evening walk. While some girls walked in their shorties. Also noted females had lot of different formal options.
21) Public display of affection was quite common and didnt find many hawk eyes people starring at them.
22) Bondi beech was clean but much smaller compared to Marina beach of Madras.
23) Couples were having fun, but they didnt use an umberla like in Madras to cover them-up.
24) Even at middle of the day, was able to see some people jogging.
25) Taxi drivers in most cases dont rob you by taking a longer route. But costly.
26) Free buses to temple on Thursdays in the place where I stay.
27) That natural feeling of affection when you see a south Indian person, they are present in quite some numbers. Few tend to look back, few look at the ground as if they have dropped some money and few just look straight into my eyes without smile, Indian Elders (Elderly parents) who are with their sons or daughters are the ones whom smile back regularly at you when you come across them. :)
28) Beauty shops are giving more emphasis to nails, eye lashes and hair. Back home, it is more of threading and facials. Ladies please note.
29) Less number of scanning and xerox shops.
30) Fuels needs to be self filled. There is line in super markets in which you can check out your shopping and pay the amount of yourself using card.
31) Shops closes by 5 to 6pm, that was a surprise. Imagine majority of shops in Spencer plaza or Mantri Square closing by 6 to 7pm? We would ask is there some riot or some politician has passed away?
32) Shop assistance, attend one customer at a time and put the next customer in waiting. FIFO concept. But the number customer they handle are minimal compared to their Indian counter parts. Same with my bank experience.
33) People naturally form queue while boarding the bus.
34) I was advised to avoid looking or smiling at a kid, like we mostly tend to do in my home country. That was weird.
35) Try to avoid holding hands with your male buddies in public. Last weekend went out for buying some meat product from Moree butcher shop. Me and my roommate were wearing red color tops and carrying one famous rights group's umberla. Noticed it only when we were returning from shopping. oopppss....
36) Buying cars seemed easy but Car maintenance is quite a hefty stuff business, insurance, rejo, fuel cost, traffic fines
37) In India it may be easier to get the license but very difficult to drive, however, here its difficult to get license and comparably easier to drive, I suppose, not very sure.
38) Chinese and Indian are very very similar in their social behavioral patterns.
39) Some people are willing to offer help, the other day I was asking for directions at a bus stop, a lady driving her car, stopped and assisted me. I am sure she is Italian based on her slang.
40) Public Libraries are really awesome folks. People use the garbage bins.
41) Most people dont spit in public corners, I suppose because here there are no pan shops. Have to wait and see once pan shops opens-up at ever other corner.
42) When you go for interview, the receptionist is the first person to wish you best of luck to succeed in the interview.
43) Lot of options to try various different & unique cuisines
44) Not many TV channel options.
45) Gambling and betting are legal
46) News channels and print media are like seniors of Arnab Goatsami, based on feedback from people who have spent close to a decade here.
47) We can visit Parliament and checkout the house proceedings which is totally not possible in my home country unless I know someone at a highest possible level.
48) Heard mugging do occur if you are in wrong place at a wrong time.
49) Most of the time during public transport travel, people are hooked up with their electronic gadgets, not much chit chats to over hear. Frequency of trains are quite good.
50) People do beg here, I gave a $2 to an old lady when she came-up to me and asked if I can give her $2.

Started collecting coins, this time it is $1 coins with different obverse and reverse from various years. My better half specifically told, dont start your coin collecting hobby there also :D ;) :) Sorry darling I have already started :D :D :D

Will post more in the coming few days.
 
#30 ·
Reader's mind VOICE

YES, I can hear your mind voice, ;)

Hello Mr.NiceMathan, cut all these stuffs:rolleyes::cool::eek: . Give us some insights on the job market.

I am into XYZ domain with ABC years of total experience, when will I get the job, how many months does it take on an average to get the first break.

Is LinkedIn profile, covering letter, calling HR consultants, applying in seek or anyother sites; will help. :eyebrows::eyebrows::eyebrows:

Is Java; VB.net; Data Analytics; MSBI; IOS programming; Citrix / AS400; Mainframe; SAP; Service Now; VMware; Oracle DB; Ruby; Angular; Perl; Python; Shell programming; scripting; BA skills; Management experience are deemed as hot. Are they in demand, how is the requirement there.

What are the best months to land. How to hunt for job.

Do we need to convert resumes to Australian format.

What kind of questions or how many rounds of interview do these companies conduct.

Dont they conduct walk-ins? Or can we walkin to consultants or company and drop our CVs.

What is the usual pay scales.

How can I find causal work, will they help me in saving money and time for survival and job hunt in my main domain? :fingerscrossed:


Yes, buddies I can hear you saying it, in your mind

And now laughing after reading my comments above lines. ;) ;) correct right, if not please atleast give a small smile buddies, laughing and smiling does helps in attaining good health :D :) ;)

Hold your horses buddies, for some more time, please.

Child birth will not happen in TWO months, the project of child birth cannot be fast-tracked even if five ladies are assigned.

Wait buddies, I will come to those. Give me some time.

Ok another day where I am going to sleep close to 0330 hours AEST.

Hang in there.... will be back very soon!!!
 
#31 ·
Hi Nicemathan,

Very eagerly waiting for your post regarding job hunt..
Above posts were very helpful as i am mechanical engineer by profession and planning to land there in October end..
Please also tell about getting a part time job to manage our financial situation till we get a permanent job in our domain...
 
#32 ·
@Mathan - Where are you dude? we are all waiting here with bated breath for the next chapter :D
 
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#34 ·
I am Back!

Last time, I stopped at a critical point.

I am getting feedback when will the next release be out.

Some how squeezed in sometime now. Date : 30th Aug 2015 09:25 pm.

Typed this yesterday, currently using my roommate's lappy to cut copy paste the details.

Just now completed few last minute stuffs.

Using lappy after a gap of several days. I wish this time it works out.

Typing in notepad, as the virus windows pops out repeatedly not allowing me to use the browsers.

Hopefully, all goes fine, its going to cut copy paste from the notepad to Expatforum thread.

Shall we start, buckle-up mates! :boxing::boxing::noidea::noidea::noidea:
 
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