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Post by biteybird on Mar 29, 2017 2:20:27 GMT -5
Well, I'm all set to start my new teaching job in Darwin, except...I haven't received a contract to sign yet!  But the good news is I uploaded my Statements of Service (from all my previous teaching positions) to the Northern Territory teacher recruitment people and they have said I'm on the top pay increment for classroom teachers. That means I will be receiving $22K more (!) than I am now teaching for the Victorian Government (long story, but Vic Department of Education wouldn't recognise most of my private school teaching over the years). So that was a nice surprise!  Now to receive and sign a contract before I get in the car on Tuesday...wish me luck!  |
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Post by Jan and Shah on Mar 29, 2017 15:33:51 GMT -5
Chase up that contract Biteybird - even if you take it with you and hand it over when you arrive. You have a very long trip ahead of you - good luck. Any chance of you venturing into NSW on the way, specifically the Bathurst area? I hope that Bonnie behaves herself Great news about the pay increase - that is a substantial amount. We are experiencing the after effects of the cyclone. Have to take the kitten to the vet but the rain is so heavy and the vet is a 25 minute drive away so not sure I will take her - it is only for an injection (her 2nd). |
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Post by easttex on Mar 29, 2017 16:51:27 GMT -5
That is a stellar surprise! I guess you'll be able to afford to keep Bonnie in the style to which she would like to become accustomed. |
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Post by Caseysmom on Mar 29, 2017 22:34:07 GMT -5
Good luck! That must have been quite a nice surprise. Congratulations!
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Post by julianna on Mar 30, 2017 13:53:12 GMT -5
I am so happy for you... yeahhhhhh..... A new phase of life is about to begin. I truly hope this is all you have dreamed of. Excellent on the raise... yeahhhh.... I don't think I ever got a raise that big... so that is awesome.
Be careful driving and keep us informed on how things go. Best of best of best wishes... lol
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Post by aaron on Mar 31, 2017 23:01:21 GMT -5
Great news biteybird!! Congrats!!
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Post by biteybird on Mar 31, 2017 23:52:52 GMT -5
Any chance of you venturing into NSW on the way, specifically the Bathurst area? I hope that Bonnie behaves herself Hi Jan, I think I'm going via Adelaide (not through the city centre, though), so unfortunately won't be able to drop in (but thanks for the invitation). I created a Facebook account last night called 'Bonnie Quaker', so I can easily share photos - if I take some good ones - for my husband and friends to look at. If you (or any forum members) want to send me a 'friend request' just let me know via a PM through this forum so I know who's requesting! ...no need to give me your real name, just your Quaker Parrot Forum username is fine. Just to warn you, though, I haven't really used Facebook before, so it might take me a little while to use it properly. Hope the weather settles for you. I didn't realise the cyclone would affect your NSW weather like that, wow! Good luck with your kitty's injection. |
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Post by biteybird on Apr 6, 2017 5:30:47 GMT -5
I left Melbourne on Tuesday and am now in Alice Springs (Thursday). Whoa, Australia is SO huge! I drove 935km from Renmark (SA) to Coober Pedy yesterday and over 600km from Coober Pedy to Alice Springs today - honestly I'm ready for a nice sleep! I'm staying in the 'G'day Mate Tourist Park' at Alice Springs, which we stayed in last year, and the owner has two quaker parrots! P.S. Happy to say I got my contract via email - but had a 'moment' because it said until 23 June 2017 (so only 1 term instead of 3!) :0 I got in touch with the assistant principal and she has had it amended to the correct date, which is 24 January 2018. Phew! |
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Post by biteybird on Apr 9, 2017 5:01:17 GMT -5
OK, now I've arrived in Darwin! Arrived at around midday (Sunday). So Tuesday to Sunday isn't too bad to drive from one side of the continent to the other! Now to go house-hunting tomorrow.... |
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Post by biteybird on Apr 9, 2017 5:04:44 GMT -5
Be careful driving and keep us informed on how things go. Best of best of best wishes... lol Thanks, Julianna! Driving was fine, I actually enjoyed it. I've never done a huge trip like this before, but it seems to have gone REALLY fast! Everytime I see a post from you I can't help looking at that beautiful photo of Oscar. |
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Post by Jan and Shah on Apr 9, 2017 15:40:57 GMT -5
So glad you arrived safely. Did anyone along the way think you were a Crazy Bird Lady or did they just take it in their stride? How's Bonnie? Hope you get some time to relax after that huge drive. Well done you |
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Post by biteybird on Apr 10, 2017 8:03:57 GMT -5
Nobody batted an eyelid, really. Bonnie's fine - she's been so well-behaved it's unbelievable! I'm kind of trying to relax, but I have to find somewhere to live...I have 3 inspections booked in the next couple of days, but Darwin is really expensive (much the same as Melbourne). I am meeting my classroom assistant on Wednesday morning at my new school - it's really nice of her, as they're on school holidays and only get 1 week. I start next Tuesday. Thanks for the nice comments, Jan! Hope you and Shah are well. |
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Post by julianna on Apr 10, 2017 13:31:00 GMT -5
Glad to hear you made it safe and sound and that Bonnie is doing well. Your trip reminds me of my own when I left my hometown about 8 years ago and relocated down south about 500 KM's away. I went on my own and found an apartment then another apartment then bought a house... then sold the house then got a temporary apartment.. then moved back home. lol lol. I worked down there for almost 5 years before I decided to come back. Best part was working for the most part... but then coming home was great!!
Thank you for the nice comment on my picture of Oscar bitebybird... it is a lovely one I think. Good luck on apartment hunting and remember to have a nice warm place for Bonnie too. I am sure you will.
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Post by easttex on Apr 11, 2017 4:35:45 GMT -5
Sounds a liitle hectic, biteybird. I don't know how the US (about 3k miles/4.8k km) compares to Australia, but I used to love driving cross-country by myself. My first opportunity was shortly after OCS commissioning, when I drove from the coast of Virginia to the coast of California. I had splurged on a brand spanking new Mazda RX 7, bright red, had ten days before I had to report, and had a grand time. Long time ago. I'm glad to read that Bonnie is not making things more difficult for you. Good luck settling in and getting started at the new job. It takes a lot of pluck to get up and go like you did. |
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Post by biteybird on Apr 11, 2017 6:47:58 GMT -5
Thanks 'guys'! I thought I would have trouble with the driving, but it was fine. I did 935km in one day (I think it was last Wednesday when I drove from Renmark, South Australia, to Coober Pedy). Julianna, it sounds like you wanted and needed a change and when it was out of your system you felt good and everything worked out! A warm place for Bonnie...well, Darwin is about as warm as you can get (except for today, which was the lowest temperature - 18C - since the 1940s, due to a cyclone at the Tiwi Islands north of Darwin. Darwin has been on Cyclone Watch today & will be tomorrow, too). Easttex, I've always LOVED the Mazda MX5, but I've also looked longingly at the RX7! The hardest thing right now is finding somewhere to rent before Easter Friday, as I'm staying in a caravan park paying $100 per night for a unit (no other parks accept pets, even a bird in a cage). So the Credit Card is getting a hiding... |
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