Dear Examinator,

I agree with you about "My country- right or wrong."
David F - has written so eloquently on the subject
in other threads.

As for wars ? Well again the old cliche -
"When will they ever learn?" and - "War is not
healthy for children and other living things!"

Being exposed to several cultures - and especially
one like PNG - explains a great deal about you -
and your concern about the environment.

Dear phoenix94,

It's good to be able to laugh at ourselves.
But I've got to admit I bristle a bit when
someone else does it - at my expense.

I remember when we were living and working in
the US - and all people knew about
Australia then was that it was a vast desert
with kangaroos. And when they told me jokes
about cultural barrenness and a population
of rednecks - I'd get upset.

I'm glad that things have improved.

Foxy, perhaps from your perspective its a huge move, but for people
who have travelled regularly, mixed with other cultures regularly,
its not such a big deal.

My dad was a bit of adventurer, who went exploring the Amazon jungle
etc, after WW2. So my folks were kind of gypsies, living in South
America, North America, Africa and Europe. Us kids went along.

In my late teens and early twenties, I lived in Paris and Switzerland,
Swiss being by nationality. I looked at the world map
and at first decided that Tahiti would be great to live, all those
coconuts, palm trees and cute chicks :) The French wrecked that idea,
with all their atomic bombs in Muroroa Atoll.

So I looked at the world map. Africa had no future for white skinned
people. America had too much crime, Canada was too frigging cold,
Asia was filthy and overcrowded, Europeans depended on Arab oil
to keep warm in winter, which I thought was not the best of ideas,
after the first oil shock.

The South of France was one option, but the French are some of the
most beurocratic people that I have come across, so I read a
book about Australia, which was hardly mentioned in the news in those
days.

The easy layback kind of attitude, great climate and open spaces
sounded like my kind of place. Meantime one day on tv, I saw a
movie called "Sunday too far away", which showed a farm homestead
with all this space around it, nature etc. Thats what I wanted!

So I applied for a visa, only to be told that there was virtually
no chance, as well over 1 million a year applied and they only took
a few. But after many months of health checks, I eventually had
an interview with an Australian immigration bloke and I think I kind
of convinced him that I would be an asset to the place. He was of
course correct :)

Later on, I arrived at Perth airport, suitcase in hand, knowing
nobody. Then it hit me! Oops, what now?

Dear Yabby,

For my parents - it actually was a huge step.
As it was I imagine to many thousands of
asylum seekers, most of whom had no option but
to leave their countries of origin. As well as
facing adjustment difficulties, they suffered
from a sense of guilt at having left their
people to continue the struggle against
repressive regimes. They had found a greater
physical freedom in Australia, in that their
lives were no longer in danger; but the struggle
they had with their conscience allowed them no
spiritual freedom.

My parents always remembered with nostalgia the
country they were forced to leave. And it was only
recently - after Lithuania re-gained her independence
that my mother made a visit back. On returning to
her country of origin - it was a turning point for her.
She realised she had changed - and she became far more
content, and determined to enjoy her life in Australia.

I'm happy for you that you found your sense of
belonging so quickly. The sense of potential and
openness that you describe about Australia in your
post is what I think so many people enjoy on coming
here.

I've got an announcement to make:

I've just become a grandmother for
the very first time!

My daughter-in-law has just given birth
to a son. A beautiful, strawberry-blonde,
weighing over 8 and a half pounds.

I can't even begin to describe how I feel!

Yo graaaaaaaaaany, no more foxy

Prunes and walking frame are on the way.

At least I'm just a dad. Dads are distinguished, hot, Graaaanies are old (he he he)

Seriously, Congratulations. Especially, to the mum and the dad, his work is to come.

Suggestion for a name examinatorette? no? cOLOe sounded good to me ;-)

Dear Examinator,

Thank - You!

I'm over the moon - my feet aren't touching
the ground. We've just come back from the
hospital - Bubba is just gorgeous!
Perfectly developed - and a big baby!

My daughter-in-law is amazing. A
text-book delivery - and no drugs - and
both baby and mother look so alert and
healthy! My son can't stop grinning,
neither can I.

We're truly blessed! As for gran's not being
hot? Want a bet? This particular granma will
always be a "glam-ma!" It's in the genes!

Seriously though, I'm over the moon!
Just wait until your turn comes - the emotional
feeling is overwhelming!