An AMAZING week

[Kuna]

WTF is a doona???

jb.... 

Just think "big fluffy quilt for the bed that you can swap covers on and off"...




Oh... she's arrived... and all I can say is ahhhhhhhhhhh....

A few early observations...

1. Her flight was about 20 minutes late therefore she landed at 7am.  I guess we have it much easier in Oz when our loved-ones immigrate because she was off the plane, through Immigration and past customs (even though she'd decalred the chocolates she'd brought as gifts for my family) in approx 25 minutes.  No baggage inspections...  no hassles. 

2. She was very tired from her flight but feeling her jump into my arms and kiss me - then realise we were surrounded by 1000 people (so she giggled as she regained her composure) - then after a tight hug I saw a "damn them all" look in her eyes as she returned to the kisses.... 

3. It was pretty funny seeing the confused look on her face as I was trying to hand her the car keys after she automatically went to the right hand side of the car to get in...  A look of shock replaced the look of confusion as she saw the steering wheel on "her" side of the car...  I reckon it took about 2.2 seconds for her to come and join me on the passenger side of the car.  As soon as we took off she said exactly what I think when I go to "Left Hand Drive Land"... "It feels so strange sitting on the wrong side."

3. We had to go to "the market" because they confiscated all of her shampoo etc at Dubai airport.  It's little things like this that remind me she will have to re-learn everything from scratch.  As we entered the supermarket (at the fruit and veggie end) she was concerned I made a mistake and took her to a fruit market instead of somewhere where she could get hair product etc. Calm was restored when she saw some familiar brands.  By the way.... I'd forgotten how expensive "chick stuff" was at the shops.  I'll stop complaining about the price of razor blades now I've seen the cost of facewash and "skin tonic".

5. Finally we made it home...  She's happy that we live "so close to centre" and her initial reaction was that "we will make comfortable home here".  All of 1 minute on the balcony and she was off on a mission.

6. The mission???  As tired as she was all she wanted to do was unpack her bags.  Of course there was the obligatory distribution of gifts from her, her mother, BIL and SIL to me...  I feel quite embarrassed I can't reciprocate until I see them next.

7. I think like everyone I've got a "miscellaneous basket" on my kitchen divider (between the kitchen and lounge room).  She was up on her tip toes peering in on the pencil eraser, assorted gift cards, spare batteries for the TV remote control, rubber bands, pens, assorted bits and pieces that don't really fit anywhere else and calmly said, "We must make order".   

*. Next... Shower and "make fresh"...  and by God she did look fresh!   

8.  SLEEP...  as she laid down under that lumpy doona I knew she would cocoon herself to raise her body temperature to ridiculous levels.  I sat on the bed next to her and she said, "Will you wait with me until I fall asleep?

 I answered "O" [she fell asleep] and I closed with "K".  I guess she was REALLY tired...

Well... that's it for now...  Can I just repeat my opening comment????


Ahhhhhhh....

Kuna

[jb]

Humming,,,,, "Happy Days Are Here Again......"

[Jazzyclassy]

it is so incredible how fast it went, I still can not believe it hahahaha

when I just started posting here I remember Kuna was only telling about his girlfriend and so on and now she is there with him , that is so quick  you are so lucky

some people have to wait ages to be together , you gotta cherrish your time

and of course come here from time to time and post your lovely descriptions, you got a nice style of writing

all the best to you and your lady   

[I/O]

Kuna: I've been waiting for her to touch down in your home. Guess you are still waiting for it in a way. You must be the luckiest bastard around these parts to short circut the system the way you guys did.

All the best to both of you and do keep this thread going as it can only help to clue up the newer guys starting out.

Worry not, she'll straighten the lumps out of the dooner in due course as she will straighten you out in a number of ways.

I/O

[catzenmouse]

Best wishes Kuna and soon to be Mrs. Kuna! Do let us know how things are going and about her reactions to life down under.

Worry not, she'll straighten the lumps out of the dooner in due course as she will straighten you out in a number of ways.

I wonder which one she'll be straitening out first? I'd lay money that the dooner will be down the list a bit...

Ken

[bgreed]

Kuna,  All I can say is congrats and that you are the luckiest SOB on the planet.

It will be at least six months before Lena will be here and thats if everything goes really quickly.  I am soooooooooooooo jealous !!!!

[jb]

bgreed,

And the rest of us are jealous of your new baby.  My wife an I always wished for a little girl, alas that never happened for us, but we tried.   Better luck to you and yours.

[Kuna]

Well... my "Miscellaneous Basket" is gone!

Sometime between "dinner" and "shower" there was a "rearrangement of stuff" on the divider between the kitchen and lounge room.  Gone is the "Miscellaneous Basket", the coin jar and the stack of business cards that seem to grow on a daily basis.  I've also been "advised" she will "make order" in the kitchen cupboards today but she won't throw anything out... she'll just "put aside" so I can see what I really have to keep.  If the kitchen cupboards look anything like the divider they'll look "very efficient".   

I've gotta say... it's a big thrill to have her around and seeing the early adjustments she is making to our home. I will only work a half day today (in the office) and this afternoon we'll go shopping for flowers for the balcony.  While I'm here she's off for a run and probably strategising on the "order" she'll make in the cupboards.

*UPDATE*  Just had a call... been for a run... enjoyed it very much...  made order in cupboards... much happier now...  asking exactly what time I will be home because she's making Blinni for lunch.     *END OF UPDATE*

English is right up there with the list of things that "must be finished"....  There are two colleges where she can get the Governments free lessons within walking distance from home and when I asked which one she wanted to go to (city centre versus on the river) she simply said, "Whichever is more difficult is better for me".

Seriously... she speaks better English than many people that have worked for me over the past 5 years but I think she's set herself some standards that are a fair bit higher than many immigrants that come here.

Last night was great...  We went for a walk along the river and as usual I bumped into a few people I know.  The area I live in is a real "local community" despite being in the centre of the city. 

First were a couple of girls from my local pub (well.. they don't live there... they just frequent there too often).  As soon as they saw us they both focused on My Girl (I'm sure wanted to check out the "chick" I'd talked about)... My Girl was superb!  Lively, funny, highly confident and utterly wonderful.  The chitchat lasted a few minutes and then we were off down the river for our walk.  It was a long walk - but a good walk. She's found the running tracks she'll be assaulting while I'm at work this morning...

When we got back towards home I heard a "YOO HOO" from a restaurant across the road.  A waving arm was attached to another "friend of a friend" so we crossed the road to say hello.  Again, it's another of the local girls (well this one is mid 40's... but we'll still call her a girl). Initial introductions lead to expressions of pleasure to finally meet "My Girl".  After the pleasantries were exchanged (and an invitation for coffee one day) we were off to the local shop.  As soon as we walked inside the shop keeper called out to his wife "Love,  Kuna is here with [My Girl's name]". 

His wife (a 60 yr old Vietnamese woman with a VERY heavy accent) came out and gave my girl a big hug to welcome her to Oz. I think My girl was very shocked at first but secretly pleased that she's entered my community not as a stranger - but as someone people simply hadn't met yet. 

As we walked home I said "I did warn you Australians can be very friendly" and she responded... yes, "It a good warning and it's so nice to meet such friendly people":. 

Once we were home it was great to cook dinner together and share more of our astonishment at the path we have come along over the past year.  At times we just look at each other and laugh because it seems so unreal.  We do feel very fortunate.

Well... that's about it for now... I'm hesitant to post any personal photos yet but I am considering solutions to this...  In the meantime this is a pic taken at the start of our walk last night... While we're not in the pic you might get just a little idea of what she was seeing for the first time and what our "local community" is like.

Oh... one last thing... there was great amusement last night when we couldn't get the internet working on her notebook...  and then when she went to use mine Internet died there as well.  She said "OK, we'll watch a film" and after she put a disk in the DVD she asked "Why does it say 'No Disk'".  We went back to the Internet idea and I got it working on my notebook but it seems there's still a problem with hers.  i have no idea what's going on with the DVD player but I'll look at that tonight.  I've asked her to promise (and she has) that she won't touch the washing machine because it also runs on electricity and so far she seems to have a magic touch... BLACK MAGIC TOUCH THAT IS... with electrical goods!




Kuna

[Kuna]

Kuna: I've been waiting for her to touch down in your home. Guess you are still waiting for it in a way. You must be the luckiest bastard around these parts to short circut the system the way you guys did.

All the best to both of you and do keep this thread going as it can only help to clue up the newer guys starting out.

Worry not, she'll straighten the lumps out of the dooner in due course as she will straighten you out in a number of ways.

I/O

Thanks I/O,

We know but still can't understand just how lucky we were...  I really wish I could give some advice to others that are still to go through the Visa process but it's all a bit of a mystery to us.  We had a little history (as you know) that the Embassy was aware of but I can't help but think My Girl was more responsible for it going so smoothly than me.

We'l;l be seeing you and your beautiful lady very soon I'd say!   

Kuna

[Kuna]

We're playing a new game in our home....  It's called "Honey where's my XYZ".

Yesterday was fun... but confusing.

I went to the office in the  morning and when I returned home I wouldn't have thought I was in the right apartment if it wasn't for my beautiful future wife being there to greet me.

It seems Day 2 was the day when she would start putting her touches to our home so the kitchen has been totally routed and rearranged and the lounge area is barely recognisable.

It's really fun - I'm sure all the OMB's have been through it! 

I can go looking for a glass and I open a cupboard to find tuppaware I didn't realise we had.  There are pots and pans  where the tuppaware used to be... glasses have all had the "made order" treatment...  and our pantry looks very "efficient".  We don't have packets of things anymore.  Eveything is in plastic containers with the name of the product cut from the packet and stuck on the outside of the container (of course facing the front).

I wasn't home long before I heard we were about to go out shopping... there were some essential items we needed...  Tablecloths, place mats, coasters, plants, etc.  I also counted 27 different "chick things" presumably used for hair, face, skin and errr...  well, I imagine 27 different products would go far.

Of course I've been married before and had a long term live-in fling but it's certainly different to discover both bathrooms dominated by girlie smells and my blokey products are now stored under sinks or in drawers.

It was pretty funny when we were at the nursery because I kinda went off doing my own things but would hear "Kuna,  I like this very much, we should buy"...  and I would have to go back two or three isles to find what it was that she liked.

"Yes darling.. I like it too... It will look lovely on the balcony"...

Off I go to look at blokey stuff like tools and again and hear, "My Love, I have found [ABC]... Come have a look, we should buy, it would look very nice on our balcony"...

"Yes darling.. it will look very nice in the big pot"...

Finally we headed for home and within a few hours the transformation was complete... or so I thought.

As we sat down to dinner I remarked on the dramatic (positive) changes in our home and with great pride in her voice she said, "Yes, it is good for the second day, tomorrow I will create more".

 

I can only imagine what I will find when I get home today...



Oh, on a note about "Process" for those marrying in Oz be aware that your partner IS eligible for the 510 hours of government funded Adult English Lessons BUT you have to marry first.  Whilst your fiance in in Oz and you are not married she can't start the course unless you pay upfront.

The time is able to be taken either in TAFE's or at selected private colleges and the benefit of the private colleges is that they can learn at their own pace (which My Girl tells me will be faster than other students) and in smaller classes.

She wants to get busy as soon as possible so maybe we'll arrange for her to start prior to the wedding because I'm pretty certain boredom would not be a pleasant experience for either of us.

By the way... I can't imagine how difficult this must be for couples that don't share a common language.  We communicate well and I encourage her to make the purchases at check outs and ask questions of shop attendants etc herself and last night while she was sorting out the herb seeds and potting mix I was watching her thinking about how lucky I am that she will be able to (and wants to) be independent as quickly as possible.

So... Day 3 starts...  and at breakfast this morning it started to feel a little more normal.  As we sat on the balcony eating toast and drinking coffee I didn't feel like I had to pinch myself.  My Girl has well and truly arrived.

Kuna

[ScottinCrimea]

Kuna,  It all sounds wonderful and very familiar.  People thought it was odd that within three days of her arrival my wife had painted the kitchen cabinets, cleaned, ironed and repaired all of the curtains and washed the kitchen walls, among other things.  It's just more of a settling in process than we are accustomed to with western women.  My wife has been here 4 weeks now and I still look at her every day and am amazed that she is actually here and think how lucky I am that she is.

[BillyB]

It was pretty funny when we were at the nursery because I kinda went off doing my own things but would hear "Kuna,  I like this very much, we should buy"...  and I would have to go back two or three isles to find what it was that she liked.

"Yes darling.. I like it too... It will look lovely on the balcony"...

Off I go to look at blokey stuff like tools and again and hear, "My Love, I have found [ABC]... Come have a look, we should buy, it would look very nice on our balcony"...

"Yes darling.. it will look very nice in the big pot"...

As we sat down to dinner I remarked on the dramatic (positive) changes in our home and with great pride in her voice she said, "Yes, it is good for the second day, tomorrow I will create more".

 

LOL, If anybody needs to know where Kuna lives, just look for the balcony full of chick stuff.

Kuna, I'm sure you spent a lot of time preparing your apartment for your fiancee only for her to arrive and redo everything. That's a woman for you. Hopefully she doesn't have you rearranging the furniture every other week!

[bobcat]

Kuna ~ Congrats and good to see she has arrived. Even better to see that you are going through the same things that I have already been through, and continue to after 1 year here!

Just want to clarify your below comment. Yes, she needs to be married to get the free hours, but she also needs to have her spouse temporary visa s/c 820 approved and stamped in her passport. Once you are married and submit paperwork for this, it will take on average (as of August 07) 8 months for this visa to be approved.
So, those free classes are probably a year away yet....

Oh, on a note about "Process" for those marrying in Oz be aware that your partner IS eligible for the 510 hours of government funded Adult English Lessons BUT you have to marry first.  Whilst your fiance in in Oz and you are not married she can't start the course unless you pay upfront.

[2tallbill]

Kuna, I have been reading your story and I am excited and happy for your success.

Take care
Udachi!

Bill

[Rags II]

Well Kuna, I see that you are livin' the dream now. It just doesn't get any better now does it? The drool on your friends faces (and the scowls from the local birds). Just stay attentive and repeat after me "yes dear, of course dear, whatever you want my Love" and all will be fine. Congrats and best wishes!

[Kuna]

Thanks bobcat... I'll have to look into that.  She'll go crazy if she has to wait that long so I'll look for some courses that she can start straight away.

Bill... Thanks for the good wishes...  it seems so surreal yet so very normal for us to be together.  Of course it's exciting at the moment but as I see things come together I'm positive I've been very lucky to meet such a great girl.

Well Kuna, I see that you are livin' the dream now. It just doesn't get any better now does it? The drool on your friends faces (and the scowls from the local birds). Just stay attentive and repeat after me "yes dear, of course dear, whatever you want my Love" and all will be fine. Congrats and best wishes!

Ahhh... Rags... it is a dream indeed!  :-)  I've seen a few "looks of appreciation" in shops and at a work function last night but I haven't really seen and scowels as yet.  I think those female around us are just sizing her up for now but we'll really seen local female reactions as we start to venture out further from home.



OK...  Day 3...

I came home around noon and had a delicious hot lunch (and salad) ready for us to share before we headed off to the city centre (150 metres or so across the river) so she could explore "centre" for the first time.

We were running a little short of time but it was a very strange experience for me walking around my own city in my business attire taking "tourist photos" at the sites I see every day.

First of all she loved the ferry ride.  It's only a few minutes across the river but we were standing out the back and she was posing for photographs like a supermodel.  When My Girl has her photo take she doesn't stand there for the photo... She poses.  Hips thrust one way or the other, back arched, head turned, arms (often) reaching up to grasp something.  Its a hoot!   

We took a walk along a few of the main streets and picked up a few items we needed before heading back to the ferry and home.

Last night we were intending to go to my mothers house for a visit but in the afternoon I was asked to change my plans and go to a work function to be held at a theme park on the Gold Coast.  Of course I knew the work "do" was happening but there was no way I was going to leave My Girl at home while I went to socialise with clients so we'd planned to go up to my mothers house instead.

Anyway... as it turned out my MD asked me again to come along and when I said I just couldn't leave My Girl at home he said, "Bring her along, it'll be fine!"

Hmmm... Day 3 in a strange country... would she be prepared for that big of a leap?

Well... leap she did!

I had a few close associates going along (a political advisor to a State Minister and a very senior exec in Govt) so I knew there would be at least a few people that would welcome her with open arms.

We headed down the coast and had a few drinks as the evening unfolded.  The company had paid for a rollercoaster to be opened for the night and My Girl was one of the first to get to the head of the line.  I wasn't so keen (not really big on rollercoasters) so she went with a few of my colleagues and when she returned she told me how wonderful it was so I really must come. 

Again we get back in line and this time she's the one showing me something new. 

It was fun...  I have a natural mistrust of other people's engineering and maintenance skills though.   

After we finished someone commented that they wanted to go on the ride but hadn't yet and within a minute or two My Girl had rounded up a group of 8 people to fill two carriages and off they went...  I was left standing outside with the rest of my work colleagues minding all the womens handbags. At one point I looked around and someone I don't know looked me straight in the eye...  lifted his eyebrow and looked down at the handbags and we both had a bit of a chuckle.

So...  after dinner the venue had set up a mock casino for gambling (winnings to be used in an auction at the end of the night) so we ate and then went to the roulette table for a little "flutter".

At first she didn't want to gamble because she didn't know how but as we started winning she became more confident and ended up placing most of our bets for us.  It's was good harmless fun but as I stood back a little and watched her interact with people around her I felt very proud to have her by my side.

Yes of course she was upbeat and excited when she won but she was getting tired so she decided to put all of our chips on 26 (my birthday) for "Good luck" even though we'd been betting 17 (her birthday) since the beginning.  Well,  it was a whole world of fun when she ball came to rest in 17 (see... I knew she was good luck) and she thought it was hilarious that she'd bet on 26 this time instead (Kuna, you are good man but not good luck).

As the evening wound up we headed off a little early and by the time we got home we were both exhausted.

Oh,  something "funny" from earlier in the night.  My friend (the political advisor - a female by the way) asked My Girl if I'd prepared the apartment nicely for her arrival and whether I had it all nice and clean.  Her response was simply wonderful...

"Yes, it was clean but not perfect, but that is OK because I am here now and I will make all perfect".

She hadn't said anything to me about the things she needed to do and to be honest my apartment was as perfect as it'd ever been but that magic touch has really made everything shine.

When we had a moment spare my friend quietly said to me that My Girl was wonderful and she can see why I fell for her so hard.

Before leaving my friend invited herself to our home for dinner and is making arrangements to take My Girl out to do "girlie stuff" - so I guess she has made her first friend in Oz.

A couple of other things I've noticed.

When she asked me to sort through my "Miscellanious Basket" I picked out a small beaded angel made by my mother.  She makes little things every year to put on Christmas cards etc and while I thought nothing of it (I can't even remember where I put it) I just noticed this morning that she's moved the keys and security cards from the key hook on the fridge and placed the angel, a gold cross she asked me about (It was a gift from when I was maybe 10 years old) in their place.

There are just little things.. small touches... that I see she is making around our home that are filled with sensitivity and care.

Today I will go to the office late and we'll have a short walk after breakfast.

Tonight (apparently) we are sitting down to make a list of all of the things we must "create" because we "have much to do".

I'm very happy...  but I can't yet say contented. I know there will be a lot of settling in to do and after the initial "buzz" wears off she'll have to find other things to keep her busy and active.  I can't imagine her being happy doing "ladies lunches" every day and therefore college (or uni) will have to be arranged to get her into a bit of a normal routine.

So...  all is well in heaven and I look forward to every moment we are together in these early stages.

Gotta run...

Kuna

[KenC]

Kuna,
I for one am really enjoying your on going reports here.  It brings back some wonderful memories for me.  I had the opportunity to take Lena to a big out of town business meeting when she first arrived.  She amazed me and my business associates with her ability to "fit in."  Maybe "fit in" is a bit too modest because she really charmed the socks off of everyone.  At the evenning cocktail party, Lena got into a major discussion regarding WWII with the president of a major retail chain.  It seems he was a history buff as well as studying Russian in college.  His mouth fell open when this young woman started quoting facts and figures as well as correcting some of his misinterpretations of the events.  He made it a point to seek me out the next day to tell me what an amazing woman I had found in Lena.  (Like I didn't know :noidea:)  It appears that you have found a similar prize!
KenC

[Rags II]

Ah that does bring back some memories for me too and I'll let you in on a secret...it only gets better as time goes by!

Believe me Kuna, the scowls, dirty looks, rude coments and claws exposed will become more appearent when you become more able to stand back and take in the big picture. There's nothing like watching your lady strut down the grocery isle and see some poor fool get distracted and push his cart into his wife's large behind when she stops and he doesn't. Or the stock clerk who has never seen anything even closely aproaching you doll's game walk straight into the endcap of an aisle sending cans flying everywhere while you try not to fall on the floor laughing.

I'm sure that you'll be seeing a lot of people absolutely turn green with envy and all those associates/friends/family that thought you were flocking nuts to fly halfway around the world in search of your better half will come up to you and say "You done good there Mate!"

[Gator]

Kuna,

I read with delight your description of her adjustment and YOUR adjustment.

Several of our frequent posters are bringing their women to their country.  You and I/O in Australia and Maxxuum and Turboguy in Amercia.  There are others I probably forgot.  Indeed these are romantic times.

[Turboguy]

It does seem like if Airfares are higher this year is is because so many of our fiancees are flying to what all hope will be their new home. 

It also seems to me that things have changed a lot since I started reading RWD.   My memory says that most of the guys and most of the conversaton was about the search.   That there were a few OMB's like jb and both Ken's and a few more and one or two NMB's  (Newly).   Now it seems like most of the guys in the search are some newbies who just wondered in out of the cold.   That more of the guys are in a countdown to arrival stage or NMB stage and a few more OMB's are around. 

I think as Gator said, these are romantic times for more guys than ever.

[KenC]

It does seem like if Airfares are higher this year is is because so many of our fiancees are flying to what all hope will be their new home. 

It also seems to me that things have changed a lot since I started reading RWD.   My memory says that most of the guys and most of the conversaton was about the search.   That there were a few OMB's like jb and both Ken's and a few more and one or two NMB's  (Newly).   Now it seems like most of the guys in the search are some newbies who just wondered in out of the cold.   That more of the guys are in a countdown to arrival stage or NMB stage and a few more OMB's are around. 

I think as Gator said, these are romantic times for more guys than ever.

Turbo,
We have had a great "graduation class" here at RWD.  Guys like Kuna, I/O and Maxum that came "in out of the cold" as you said, and actually listened and learned from all the experience shared with them.  I certainly do not want to take any credit away from these guys in any way as they came here with good heads on their shoulders and were clear in their respective missions.  They all were able to take the information supplied and put it into practical use for their own benefit.  Others in the past have chosen to ignore advices and do things their own way and many have fallen on their respective faces.

The thing I like about these guys (and I should also include Groov as an early graduate of this class) is that they all have not only seen the value of RWD in their own pursuits, but also have been more than willing to share their learned knowledge with the next group of newbies.  Ahhh, the "circle of life" just goes on and on.  Getting a little misty eyed here.  LOL.
KenC

[baldrick]

Hope our victory did,nt ruin your week. That was a turn up for the books ...............no nails left.................and nearly underwear problems! Keep the reports coming

[Kuna]

baldrick (and ste if you're reading)...

I might usually be plunged into days of depression after a defeat like that but at the moment it hasn't made a ripple.   




So....  yesterday we ended up having a pretty quiet day at home until we went to visit "the family".  First of all we stopped off at a small beach on the way to my mothers house and My Girl got to see the "Ocean" for the first time (well... it was Moreton Bay but we'll count that as a first sighting of the ocean for her.   

Afterwards we went over to my mothers house and My Girl "presented" my mother with a gift "made from her heart".  It was a beautiful crocheted table cloth that I know took several weeks to make. She would return home from work and spend an hour or two on both it and her English lessons every night. My Mother is into craft and all things hand made and was stunned at the perfection she as holding in her hands.  My Girl looked so proud that my mother appreciated the present so much and therefore our first visit "home" went very well indeed.

We stayed for dinner and it was great that My Girl is able to communicate so well with the people around her because the tentative conversation in the beginning turned into an animated conversation with laughter and joy for all concerned.

Today we went to the Gold Coast to a wildlife sanctuary so My Girl could see her first Koala and Kangaroo. 

WOW!!!  To see the look on her face when we had photos of her holding a Koala is really something to see.  (I'll have to post some photos soon...  I'm just so busy at the moment)

We spent much longer at the sanctuary than expected because we stayed in the kangaroo paddock until we AND the kangaroos were exhausted - and by chance she ended up having a photo taken holding a baby crocodile (maybe 60cm long).

As we were walking through the park she suggested we get someone to take a photo of us together.  I turned to an older couple following us a little way back and when they caught up I asked the gentleman if he'd mind taking a photo.  As he handed the camera back to me he quietly said to me, "Someone's hit the jackpot" and winked...

Indeed I have!   

My Girl must have incredible hearing because she asked me "What is jackpot" and I explained it was like winning a big prize.  She told me he was correct... and she has hit the jackpot too.

Before we left we HAD to go back to the Koala grove and this turned out to be a big bonus because they were just changing over the leaves for the koalas so they were very animated - jumping from tree to tree and getting the best positions for the new feed.

Later we went and bought some fish and chips and went down to the beach (actually on the grass) and had a late lunch and afterwards we went for a walk along the beach.  It was a bit too cool to go swimming but that didn't stop My Girl getting her feet into the Pacific Ocean for the first time (and this time it wasn't the bay).

I've just had a look at our photos from today and could look at them forever - not for the scenery but to see the beautiful expressions on her face when she discovers something new.

She's laying down for a nap at the moment and made me promise that I won't make dinner without waking her.  She wants us to cook together again tonight and that is fine by me.  I'm really enjoying the normal things we're doing (cooking, watching a movie, visiting family), perhaps even more than I'm enjoying the exciting or unusual things we're doing.

This morning she said she would like to invite some of my friends over for dinner on Friday night and I see that as a very good sign.  She's feeling comfortable and confident in our home and now she wants to start entertaining and start to meet some of my friends.

As I said earlier I haven't had time to post any photos but I will get around to it.  In the meantime I am sitting here and the following words spring to mind when I think of her...

Cheeky
Loving
Caring
Sweet
Beautiful
Meticulous
Charismatic
Gentle
Vivacious
Motivated
Organised
Imaginative
Sensitive
Pragmatic
Delicious
Thoughtful
Playful
Incredibly Funny
Adventurous
Brave
... and most of all, perfect for me!

 

I can't express the awe I feel at the "dream run" we've had so far.  Sure meeting and clicking on a first trip is good fortune but thinking back to the lightening fast visa approval and the way she has settled in and taken control of several parts of our life is inspiring for me.

I know there are going to be difficult times and I am waiting for them to emerge.  I know she has to keep busy and she must feel a sense of value for her contributions but I'm confident that she will forge a life for herself as she has dreamed.



A couple of responses to earlier posts:

Rags... yep... I'm sure there will be those that are green with envy but I expect My Girl will win over all except the hardcore nut cases.  Anyone that can't appreciate her company is truly unworthy of our company.

Gator... thanks for the kind comments.  It's an amazing time in our lives.  Yes, we're having a ball but the stigma RW have as being a bit harsh or forthright night be true but at the same time there is an incredible tenderness in my girl  Example:  As we started driving back from the coast last this afternoon there was little conversation (because we were both tired) but then she touched my arm and said, "Kuna,  thank you for a wonderful weekend".  Ya know...  it's such a simple expression of appreciation but delivered in such a tender and loving way that no matter who I am today...  she really does make me want to be a better man.

Turbo... I think you're a freaking lunatic for the path you've taken and some of the decisions you've made and the advice you give at times BUT I really do wish you all the best.  I hope things work for you as well as it has for others because this is a life that everyone should live. 

KenC... When I joined RWD I hoped to get a little advice on travel and to read of others experiences on this journey.  It was soon apparent that RWD offered much more...  Your advice and guidance (and others) is a big part of the value RWD has to offer!    Thank you!

[jb]

Kuna,

With the right woman it don't have to end, i.e., just the other day I suffered another birthday... The hand written note inside the card made the day bearable.  It said; "after all these years we are still a good match.  Let's keep it that way"  Then there was a bunch of mushy stuff I can't recall. 

The point being, love doesn't have to fade away quickly to be replaced with the humdrum of life, keep it fresh bro.

[DKMM]

Kuna,

It has been an absolute delight to read your posts over the months.  I still remember you coming on here talking about how to approach the search since you already knew you were going... and then checking your TR day by day in progress.  How did the time fly!?  What ever happened to that return trip we were going to do with Rivardco?  LOL!  Looks like you got hooked early and obviously with the right girl.  You are lucky you found her and even more lucky to get her there so soon.  Couldn't have happened to a more deserving guy.

Thanks for writing this, I've been wondering what the first days will really be like.