June 09

We managed to get everything in place for our Permanent Residency (PR) Visa; Filled in another 20 page questionnaire, got my Military Release Papers from SANDF (very relieved it actually materialised), Local Police clearance and the medical exam. We write the English (IELTS) test on Saturday and then when the results are received it should take a short while before we have it.
We started using the public transport to get into town for the medical exams and stuff as it is so fast and you don’t have to worry about finding parking in Adelaide. The parking cost more than the train ride!
Carina has been undergoing interviews and assessments to enlist in Frailty Care. It is amazing that they will pay her to attend a course and practical training without the requirement to work for them after the course is completed. The only drawback is that it is on the other side of Adelaide and there are no freeways to get through town.
Alex has been over twice now for sleepover weekends. He is a very delightful boy to have around and fortunately he and Michael get along very well. We were visiting the neighbours one evening and they had a pillow fight which resulted in Alex’s little finger being broken. The Time for Kids representative was not too impressed with this though as we thought he only sprained it.
Michael turned 9 and we purchased him a Nintendo DS and several games. All the mates and Alex has one. He is so engrossed in the games he is hardly watching TV!We have slowly been getting ready for the ski holiday in Hotham in July. Our neighbours who we will be sharing accommodation with have handed down ski pants, gloves and jackets for Michael and Carina. We are pretty excited about the holiday and just hope we don’t break anything. We will be leaving on Saturday 4 July, straight after the IELTS exam and we will sleep over along the way.