The Oz Sys

Today officially marks our first week here in Brissy (or how the locals here refer to Brisbane – our new home Down Under).

And as my post title says – it’s  certainly been a “busy, busy” time for us!

I’m not complaining though since it has definitely been a fulfilling first week – with a lot of items ticked from our outstanding “to do” list - plus a lot of “firsts” experienced along the way.

My delayed luggage notwithstanding (oh yes, for some reason, delayed or lost luggage sadly seems to have a “natural affinity” for yours truly ), the joy of being one whole family again truly surpasses whatever hassles or minor inconveniences we have to endure temporarily as we transition here in kangaroo land.

First blessing: hubby passing the local driving exam on his first take! (*woot, woot!*)  The kids and I were barely on our second day here when this welcome development happened.  And to think this is more the exception than the rule in this part of the world (with the average local driver passing on his third or so attempt). We can only attribute this to the hand of God working powerfully in our lives – making sure everything is in place for our family and preparing us to receive more of His abundant blessings and surprises.  

We were not even over our “celebratory mood” when yet another gift comes our way - a family vehicle we now fondly refer to as “Flint”.  As was our experience when we first came into the desert kingdom four years ago, it is certainly a blessing to have our own car early on in any “new family adventure” – especially with an entourage of three growing children in tow.  Needless to say, having Flint around – with hubby to “legally” drive us (will soon work on my own license too – but I digress) - enables us to be more mobile as a family and allows us to go to places we might have some difficulty reaching otherwise.

Apart from these two “major, major” blessings, we also have managed to go to the necessary government authorities here to make our presence felt to formalize arrangements at being one of this nation-continent’s newer “permanent residents” (aka “mga bagong salta” – hahaha!) and in the process also experience how it is to have a feel to legally enter the Australian way of life.  What’s more, we even celebrated mass with the Brisbane Filipino community here and squeezed in some holiday shopping here and there!  We certainly could not have asked for more.  

Through the seeming “frenzy” of our first week, we cannot discount the overwhelming love and support of our families back home as well as of our new “family” here in Brisbane – specifically, Tito Doe, Tita Carrie and Tasha – who have made our adjustment period almost painless and certainly very memorable.

More stories (and pictures – “pre-paid connection permitting”) later.

God is good and indeed very faithful!