I really don't know what to say. I have been sitting here for an hour reading all of the posts on this thread and have experienced many emotions - anger, disbelief, amazement and joy! I was already to tell Dawn that I hope to meet her one day in NZ. I think she is truly amazing. And then...I read Craig's post. I have only read one post from Craig (re Palmy North) but it sounds like he is a real favorite on this forum and I can see why. Straight shooter - I like!!
I have lived on an island that is 20 miles long and 19 miles wide for 38 yrs, alright 42 yrs but I can still pass for 38! Trust me, I know what island fever is. We call is "rock fever".
My desire to move to NZ is not about money and I don't want it to be about money. I want to live! I mean really live life! I need more space! I need to be surrounded by people who are happy despite their financial situation. I have relatives in Ireland who are so poor but they are so enjoying life.
I used to own a 2 bedroom condo but I decided (it took me over a year to decide) that I wanted to be a mother (a single, older mother - we can't all be perfect) to a child who needed a mother. I decided to adopt a baby boy from Guatemala.
The adoption cost me approx. $40,000. I sold my condo knowing that once I paid off my mortgage, and paid for the adoption I would never be able to get back into the property market. I didn't and don't care! I brought my little boy home in Nov. 06 (he will be 19 months old next week). I now pay rent and nursery fees and my grocery bill has doubled, not to mention he has more clothes than I do. I have cut back on a lot of things so that I can pay my expenses and save a little each month. HE IS SO WORTH IT!
Since becoming a mother I look at life a bit differently. Yes, I want to give my son a good life but I don't want him to think that money buys happiness. I don't want him to think that he should get what he wants without working for it. I know it will be hard but I want to try. I also want him to be exposed to all that life has to offer - culturally and spiritually. I want him to respect everyone regardless of race or color. I want him to love life and love others. I want him to feel comfortable in his own skin. When people here see my son and say "hey Chinese" I think "my god, is this what life has become". An 18 month old child being categorized by the way he looks? I am not a do-gooder but I am a good person, have a big heart and treat everyone equally regardless of their race or color or financial situation. Money cannot fix the prejudices of the world and I certainly can't fix them but I try in little ways.
It is late and I am tired so I apologize if my thoughts seem a bit scattered! What I have been trying to say is:
1. Money can't buy ME happiness.
2. My son makes me happy.
3. I need to get off this island before I start having conversations with a volleyball.
4. I want to move to NZ because I believe it will give my son more opportunities to develop and grow.
5. I want to find a job that will pay the rent, food, gas for the car (and please Immigration)
6. I want to help children. I want my son to want to help children.
7. I want to be safe and want my son to be safe.
DAWN, THIS IS FOR YOU:
8. I want a man.
9. I want a man.
10. Where in the world is Dave Carter??
I will try to do better with future posts. I am used to writing drafts first! Please don't take portions of my post above and dissect it, it really won't do any good because I can't remember what I have written (this little box I am typing in doesn't help).
All the best and good night,
Shell
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