Lost In Transition

I noted with horror that I've not written since July 2012. Where have I been? Nowhere in particular. That's the problem isn't it? Let's bring this blog up to date.

Sept 2011:
Submitted APHRA application online. I left out documents on purpose, dragging it out by sending 1 at a time. Finally got my APHRA registration in March 2013.

Dec 2012:
Successfully completed my Bachelor Degree in Nursing from Griffith University. I've never been a good student, always waiting till the very last minute to "hug the Buddha's leg" & naturally it shows in my results. I put this off for a very long time, undertaking my degree 7 years after I graduated from NYP. I felt I just wasn't ready. Then, the divorced happened & suddenly I'm on my own, supporting my family. In truth, I took up the degree so I can be paid $250 more per month. I jumped into it with apprehension aplenty.

No exams for the 2 modules in my 1st semester. However, I had to submit 2 written assignments & do a group presentation. The words came easily enough, probably due to my prior experiences with writing, albeit casually. The grades came back distinction. Then came the nightmare. To do this well in my 1st semester, I felt I had to maintain, if not upped the standards in future semesters. I ensured I revised the handouts at the end of each week & studied at least a month before the exams. I maintained my distinctions in all modules except Research where I missed the distinction by 2 marks as my group failed the presentation. In my last semester, I had to undertake the toughest 2 modules in the entire course: Health Assessment & Pathophysiology. I was so stressed all the time my eyelids started twitching just 2 weeks into the semester & didn't stop till a month after I completed it. The hard work paid off. I received 2 high distinctions for it.

This is my best academic achievement thus far. The euphoria from doing well didn't last unfortunately. I was ready to give up on migrating to Australia as I was offered a chance to be the 1st ophthalmic APN. Issues at work made me want to resign on the spot if not for the 1 year bond I was supposed to fulfil upon completion of my studies (I was sponsored by my company you see). I decided to stick it out till June & pay the liquidated damages for the remaining 6 months.

March 2013:
Upon successful APHRA, I went through the steps for Australian PR application. Since staying at my job was out of the question, I might as well bank in on the other option. Besides, I've already spent almost 1k on the APHRA registration. I wished I could say I got it sorted out by myself. But alas, it was all too confusing. Yup, I forked out over 6k for an agency to do the job for me.

Dec 2013:
On the last day of 2013, I finally received my Australian PR. By the way, I didn't resign from my job which I will do tomorrow. I'm actively looking into the state we're to relocate to. Adelaide offers the quiet I want & properties are cheap. But I've heard how hard it is to find a job there. I've been tracking job search websites for months & true enough, the listings are for casual work arrangements. Don't know anybody there except 2 online friends I've never met in person. Perth, nearest to Singapore but has higher temperature compared to the other states. I read the most about Perth from a blogger asingaporeanson. Hubby has a friend in Perth who upon hearing our successful PR application, has offered a place for us to stay till we can get housing sorted out. She told us that nurses are in demand there. I've a friend in Sydney but high property prices & higher cost of living puts me off. It doesn't help that she had suffered racist attacks (both verbally & physically) from the locals. Oh well, shall see where my "research" leads me.