Permanent Australian Residency

Hello everyone.

If you have been following our journey over the last few months, you will know we emigrated to Australia in July '09, from our homeland, Scotland.

It was a big decision for us to emigrate, and we had many trials along the way, some blogged and some not.

The last almost eight months in Australia has been a joy. But behind the scenes there was always some apprehension, as we came out on a temporary contract. That in itself was enough to make me feel a little uncertain about our future.

We always planned to make this move a permanent one, but we weren't sure if -

1. We would like Australia.
2. If Australia would like us.
3. If we would miss home too much.
4. If we would meet Australian criteria for allowing us to remain permanently.

Well, we love Australia. We are pretty sure Australia likes us too. We miss home, some days more than others, but overall we have adjusted well.

And we can tick number 4 on that list too.

After today, we can now relax a little. I got an email from the Australian Immigration Department, to confirm that we have been granted Permanent Residency. Ahhh...we can breath a little easier now.

We had been saving hard to pay for this visa, and so, financially, things should be easier now too.

I had been obsessing heavily over this since before we even arrived, so, in theory, I should be more emotionally relaxed and free. In reality I know this obsession will be replaced by another. If it is productive and beneficial, then so be it.

Our future feels more certain now too.

Of course, there is no time to rest. We have lots to do, such as, among many other things, obtaining an Australian Driver's Licence. So, for a short time anyway, we will still be go go go.

To anyone who is reading this, and thinking of emigrating, my advice is simple -

Go For It!

Life is too short, and you might just find a special kind of wonderful gracing your soul.