Tomorrow will mark 3 weeks since we arrived in our new home town, the Gold Coast. And I think I am finally able to come up for air.
Moving is EXHAUSTING. Moving interstate, with 2 small children and all the logistics that goes along with it, is on a whole other level – it is BONE WEARY, MIND WEARY, EVERY CELL IN YOUR BODY SCREAMING FOR MERCY EXHAUSTING.
While I am still glad we made the huge change, it has not been without its challenges. Namely the house we’re renting. The landlord, for reasons known only to them, saw fit to remove EVERY SINGLE BLIND AND CURTAIN in the house (but left one in the garage, how bloody kind). So, besides the privacy factor, there is the small matter of the sun rising at 4.30am in the sunshine state. Which means children also think it’s time to start the day. I was NOT HAPPY about that at all. Throw in the ant infestation, the screen missing on what was meant to be my daughters bedroom window, the un child friendly balcony, the antiquated air con unit located only in the bedroom and is louder than a freight train and the fact the dishwasher was also removed, it took every ounce of my being not to spend the whole first day in tears. I had to have some stern talkings to myself – to remind myself of the big picture. It’s no dream house but we’ve made the most of it, and it does have some good points – its huge, it’s quiet and there is a pool! Best of all, we are a family, we get to be together, which was the plan all along.
The Gold Coast itself though has been awesome! Despite the early obstacles I don’t think I’ve ever assimilated so well with a new city before as I have here. I actually already feel like this town is “home”. There is just so much to love – and big bonus for someone like me who loathes to drive, especially to places unknown, it is an easy place to navigate! I’ve been surprising myself on an almost daily basis by jumping in the car and going places new. Sure, I get lost sometimes but seem to be able to rectify it pretty quickly. It has given me a whole new sense of freedom to explore instead of only sticking to the pockets I know.
The people too are hard to fault. Maybe it’s because its a tourist town, but the customer service everywhere has been second to none! Not only that, but people in general are just so friendly! And the fact its a holiday destination for so many means an endless amount of things to do. Whether its a theme park or an ordinary park, they’re unmatched by the ones we’ve experienced in the past.
Having ready made mates on hand helps so much too. Our beautiful friends Matty & Tess have made us feel so welcome and embraced the fact we now live in the same city with gusto. We used to joke about how much fun we’d have if we all just lived a little closer so now we are bringing that bargain to life. These are people who are like family to us, who don’t care how your house looks, or how you do, they just want to hang out and have fun. And because there is such a long history there – over 25 years for Tone & Matty – it is just so damn easy to be with them. It’s bliss!
Luckily we know quite a few people in this pocket and the Brisbane one, so the social calendar is no doubt going to be full. It is such a contrast to when we arrived in the Central Coast, knowing no one, and having to start from scratch. This is infinitely preferable!
And let’s not forget one very important factor in why I love the GC – oh my STARS, the SHOPPING! I’m about 5 minutes away from the HUGE Robina Town Centre (still not even managed to see it all in one go!) and 10 minutes from Pac Fair, Carrara Markets, and 25 to Harbour Town. For a shopper like me it is all shades of heaven!
Finally, there is our family and how we’ve all assimilated. Little Miss Zara has not skipped a beat and hands down has adjusted best of us all! In fact, now we have a lovely (dark!) blind in her room I’d go so far as saying she is mostly sleeping better than ever before. The Husband has taken to this lifestyle with ease; golfing, signing up for indoor cricket, has time to exercise and spend more time with the us has all happened, as hoped. His new job will keep him just as busy but there are the things we never had before that we’re loving – having him home for breakfast and dinner – what a bonus!
Harrison and I have faced our hurdles, but with everyday we’re aligning ourselves more to this life. My challenges (besides the house issues) were mostly just pure exhaustion, to the point I made myself ill, but I can honestly say I am so very happy living here. Master H might not be at that point but he is close. He still calls our old home “his real home” and there is no doubt he misses his great mates so much. As a boy who thrives on social interaction, its been hard for him to be extracted from his friends and have to try and make new ones. He’s making progress towards it, but as we adults know, these things take time. Having a place with a pool has been a Godsend though and without it I know some of the behavioural issues faced might have been much worse. All in all though I am so super proud of him and remind myself in 12 months time he will be in a far better headspace. (as will we all!)
So, while life is still busy, and I still feel a little time poor (but what parent doesn’t?) on the whole we have gotten into the groove of life on the GC. And I cant help but feel, the best is still yet to come!
