Where to from here ?

So, it’s been six months and it is looking like Bendigo isn’t all that it seemed, or that I had hoped.

Admittedly even at the outset, it did feel as if the job market was smaller and slower than other potential destinations, but I didn’t expect that it would be this small, insular or nepotistic. I’ve lost count of how many roles I have applied for, but can count the interviews on one hand.

I have started applying further afield, not quite in Melbourne, but closer. Having no car is a bit of a pain – just for the impulsivity and convenience more than anything. Public transport takes about the same time to get places anyway. On the plus side, all the walking is doing me good healthwise.

Now, it is back to that catch-22 – move and hope someone will rent me a property while still looking for work, or travel back and forth to interviews; get the job and THEN find somewhere to live. What is that ABBA song ?

Meanwhile, I still really LIKE Bendigo – even if the heat takes all the fun out of enjoying the outdoors right now. It is such a walkable little city, filled with parks and ancient trees, birdlife and other creatures, community events…

On the other hand, the little city which is trying to promote itself as the place to be in regional Victoria is struggling to keep retailers in town. So many stores have become empty since we arrived. Planning for the future and sustainability sounds optimistic, but seeing anything come of it seems like it is a l-o-n-g way off. Home building is exploding – but the house market seems sluggish too. Almost like development for development’s sake, and the buy in regional Victoria housing assistance schemes don’t seem like such a great deal if there is no work to be had.

SO frustrating because I could really make a home for myself here. Maybe in another life.

2018 I have hopes that you will be better than 2017 – so far, not convinced. Already, plans to make a trip back to NZ early this year have been shelved. (Anyone know anyone looking for Ed Sheeran tickets in Dunedin ?)

In other news, if I can sell said concert tickets I will be able to pay (and start) the 4^th unit in my Diploma. Almost halfway ! If everything else comes together, the earliest I could graduate is December 2018 ! Now that is something I hadn’t quite anticipated.

So here is a bit of a catch up on 2017

This is a quick run down to record happenings that have been missed while I was trying to keep up with the #52Stories blog challenge.

I've moved - house, country; the lot.

I'm enrolled in my first formal study since leaving school - holy heck ! A Diploma in Family History is going to be mine, in a year - or maybe three.

I got 84.5% in my first unit - High Distinction 😊 and I am expecting results for the 2nd unit in the next couple of weeks.

I've been walking lots - no car here (yet) so I have been wearing out the soles of my shoes.

Shopping and meal planning has become more thoughtful and measured. No more racing to the supermarket mid recipe ! And heavy shopping bags to carry home are not much fun either.

I'm still looking for a job. Consequently, I am contemplating whether staying in Bendigo is viable...I'm thinking not...maybe somewhere a little larger is on the cards.

We've done a bit of exploring, and we had a great visit with Mum and Dad before the weather got too hot.

There has been a bit of culture - "The Book of Mormon" in Melbourne and lots of markets and festivals in Bendigo.

I had a fun day in Melbourne with friends for Wellington and a chance meeting with an NZ cousin on Dad's side of the tree, who just happened to come to the Goldfields ! Then a planned meeting with 4th cousins on Mum's side of the tree just before Christmas.

I'm especially grateful for the support of family and friends throughout the year...most especially to my wonderful daughter for all she does for me.

So this happened

Today a truck arrived bright and early and brought all this !!

No more living out of a suitcase. 
No more thinking "I could do this"...and then "oh no I don't have that right now"

Luckily the spring weather hasn't warmed up overly fast and we've been able to get by with the clothes we bought with us. It will be nice to choose something different though.

What else has been going on ?

I have completed my first unit for my Diploma and submitted my assignment ahead of the closing deadline. Now I have a few weeks before the next one starts.

In between study, and walking back and forth to the shops (no car) I've been applying for jobs, sometimes hearing nothing, sometimes just getting rejections - but once getting an interview ! Still have a few in the pipeline to hear back from so watch this space.

Tomorrow is a public holiday. For Grand Final Eve !! What the ? 

Sport is a big thing here, especially VFL/AFL. I quite like footy - I don't get all the rules, but I like that there isn't so much stoppage time (if any). When I worked in Adelaide we would have a sweepstake every week to pick the score for the match of the week. I used to just pick numbers (no clue) and won quite often which annoyed the boys no end. I'm a Swans girls though, so I have no idea who might come out on top on Saturday. The colours don't help me either being originally a Chiefs girl and now a 'Cane's supporter.

Dustin Martin (part Kiwi) is the star player for Richmond (Tigers) and won the Brownlow this week - so I'm kinda leaning that way. And actually the Crows aren't quite Chiefs colours so - we'll see.

Then, on Sunday it's the NRL grand final in Sydney. Storm vs Cowboys. Again I have no clue 'cos my Sharks aren't there ! also, it doesn't seem right that it is Queensland vs Victoria - where are the New South Wales teams ?

It is also daylight saving changeover here this weekend. Summer must be on the way.

Oh - and the next public holiday here is also a sport related one - Melbourne Cup ! 

Life takes you on a surprise journey sometimes

When you least expect it something falls into place and life gets taken on a wild ride. That is what happened to me last week. I’ve been umming and aahing. To move or not to move. Or more like; to move but when to move.

I’ll tell you when – 4 weeks from NOW ! Get your skates on ! There is no time to be shell shocked there is masses to do !

I have been contemplating some online study with an institution across the ditch. Online you say, sounds fairly simple, you can do that from anywhere. Apparently not. You must be resident on the Island to the West of where I am now.

So while I was contemplating that, and where to settle, someone else changed tack and decided to look at roles which were specifically recruiting from these fair shores. No worries about gaining local certification prior to applying which had been stymying earlier applications. Hey presto – snapped up in an instant. Like a fresh worm on the hook.

It began like a pebble rolling down the hill gathering speed and size, but in truth it grew into a boulder pretty instantly and it has just been 7 days. The wheels are in motion, I just have to keep up.

All those plans to sort boxes and downsize that have been disregarded and casually postponed have come crashing home to roost. The race is on now. Maybe I will finally find some of the things which have been lost since the 2014 move. Hope so. Although, do I really need them ?

Anyways, that is why I have been fairly quiet recently on all fronts - I'm quietly panicking and getting organised and time is short.

I'm enrolled in my first paper as well - let the fun begin !!

Farewell Auckland, hello Bendigo.

#52Stories, Week 13, If you could make a good living doing the one thing you love most in the world, what would it be ?

Well, I think being a family research detective might just be my dream job

Anyone got any contacts at Ancestry.com ? Familysearch.org ? FindMyPast.co.uk ? Heir Hunters ? I'd move to Utah quick as you could blink, or Sydney, or London or New York or LA - anywhere they have an office.

I've been thinking about jumping into this market for a few years now - since I have had some mind blowing breakthroughs in my own family research. I have also helped some friends find out about their families too, in New Zealand, Australia and England. 

I love poring through records deciphering handwriting from the past. Admittedly it would be great to view the originals, but the many records which are now available online are just as easy to read. On the plus side I can do it from the comfort of home and save money on travel to the other side of the world.

Saying that though, travel and family history research - combining the two would just improve my job satisfaction level exponentially.

Part of my failed plan to relocate to the UK a few years back was to set myself up there to help folk back on this side of the world with research, headstone hunting, village exploring. Putting the flesh on the bones of our ancestors. Names and dates are one thing, finding where they lived and how they lived just brings them closer. Maybe I will get another shot at that before I am too old and decrepit. 

If you are keen to get started let me know, maybe I can help. If you have already started but got stuck...let me know. I love a challenge. I think I should have been a detective.

Anyway, to really get paid work in this field you need to have some qualifications, it seems. Thirty years of doing it yourself doesn't appear to count for too much. With this in mind I am looking to enrol in a diploma which is available in Australia.

I'll keep you updated with developments !