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When unexpected things happen, time to make new plans

Qewty

Qewty

Registered Users (C)
Hello DV forum 'family'

I wasn't sure if I wanted make a post about this or stay quiet, but figured since I have been so prolific on here over the years now that I would let you know.

As most of you know, hubby and I are in the 'older' bracket of DV entrants, and our link to the US has been his job in CA. He lived there for 14 years and worked for the same firm for a few of those, continuing to do so for the last 4 years from Australia. It meant that the transition from here back to CA would be quite less stressful having that security (we are certainly not of the age to up and move easily or without job security).

Well, last week, his 'new' management told him "move back to the US as soon as possible at your own expense or be terminated". One does not simply move suddenly, at our age and at this point in time, on such short notice. Planning for a lottery win after selection is a whole other matter; this was unexpected, untimely, and so very sad for us.

:( :(

Our link has now gone, within a matter of 5 days. The emotions have been, and continue to be, a roller coaster in our home, least of which centre around finding new work asap here, and the realisation of the impact of losing that link.

The laws in CA are indeed harsh regarding employment (look at 'at will' employment, and you will see what I mean), and it has indeed soured my enthusiasm as you can imagine.

It certainly goes to show that although one might have their sights purely on one path, there are many forks up ahead that we don't always see or imagine.

I will still check our lottery result in May as I have always done, but there would be so much to consider if finally there was a yes, and we don't have the ease of passage as we once had.

I am in my exam period right now, so my focus is on that. I am sure there are new decisions ahead, but alas, they will not be with California in mind. There is always a 'maybe', but I feel my perspective must now shift.

Life is never dull :)

Warm wishes

Q
 
That is sad to hear Q. I wish you and your husband the very best. But remember, as you said, unexpected things happen in life and for all you know your husband could get hired by another US IT company in Perth and you might win the lottery in May and it could all work out perfectly. I know you can only plan on what you know is certain but still, unexpected things happen (seems to be a recurring theme) and I hope that I will still see your enthusiastic posts on this forum in the future. I hope things somehow work out and that you win the lottery (and me!) in May.

Matt
 
I am sorry to hear that. We are also 'older' and it's exactly the worry about job security that makes my husband loathe to actually take up the green card (though I am hoping our LSD trip - that's Look See Decide not what you might otherwise think! - will help change his mind). Life has a way of throwing people curveballs and it's the way we deal with them that defines us - you sound like have the right attitude. Hoping it all turns out well for you, wherever you end up. And good luck with the exams!
 
Qewty, was there no way to make that work? It seemed like that was going to be a story about you not needing the GC and that you would be going with the security of a job in hand. I'm 49 and my wife just turned 40 so I can relate to the age thing but when you have been entering the lottery for so many years and a new path opens up (albeit at the end of a shotgun) was there no way to send hubby ahead while you finish your studies...

Sorry not looking to add to your frustration.... I just feel bad for you...
 
I am afraid that any move made "at the end of a shotgun" is not a good one. We will see what happens longer term. Right now there are a lot of 'bruises' to take care of, particularly with how he has been treated etc. It was not something we considered happening like this. The world of IT in CA is not a simple one, I am sure you know.

At the end of the day, we will dust ourselves off and move on. If we ever did move to the US, we would rather it be with the security of knowing we had most of our T's crossed and I's dotted; not in a rush, not in a panic, and certainly not at the will of someone else. This situation would have meant going back with yet another temporary visa at great cost and little security. Had it been for a GC, that is different, but this was not offered, only a temporary visa with no relocation provided. The devil was in the details.

Thanks Simon (and Susie)

Q
 
Dear Qewty,I believe that good things hapenning to good people.We are little older too,but,we desided,in that age to do sοme changes in our lives,to give to our kids the ability for more opportunities in their lives.So between family obligations and hard work,we are studying too.Anyway,in my country,people have many problems,thousands of them have lost their jobs,thousand of shops have closed,the education system and the health system not working properly.Every single day at work I see hundreds of people and 95% of them have no other faith for the future.But another 5% of itself can hold an entire Community upright and alive.Even at dead ends,a spark of hope can change everything.
Wish you all the best!
 
Qewty said:
I am afraid that any move made "at the end of a shotgun" is not a good one. We will see what happens longer term. Right now there are a lot of 'bruises' to take care of, particularly with how he has been treated etc. It was not something we considered happening like this. The world of IT in CA is not a simple one, I am sure you know.

At the end of the day, we will dust ourselves off and move on. If we ever did move to the US, we would rather it be with the security of knowing we had most of our T's crossed and I's dotted; not in a rush, not in a panic, and certainly not at the will of someone else. This situation would have meant going back with yet another temporary visa at great cost and little security. Had it been for a GC, that is different, but this was not offered, only a temporary visa with no relocation provided. The devil was in the details.

Thanks Simon (and Susie)

Q
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Well fingers crossed for you. Hopefully DV2015 will be your year and you will move on your terms, not someone else's.
 
The laws in CA are indeed harsh regarding employment (look at 'at will' employment, and you will see what I mean), and it has indeed soured my enthusiasm as you can imagine.
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Qewty,

I'm sorry to read about the turn of events for you and your family. I pray you guys are able overcome this disappointing turn of events and that some other (bigger and better) doors open shortly (whatever those doors may be or lead to).

Regarding 'at will' employment, I just wanted to point out that CA isn't the only State in the US where an employer does not need a good cause to fire an employee. Employment relationships are presumed to be “at-will” in all U.S. states except Montana.
 
The new management treated him like shit telling him to move back AT HIS OWN EXPENSES or get laid off... To be frank, moving back would have been a very bad idea because that show how little respect his employer has for him, who knows he might still get laid off after a couple of months...?
Do you got everything going on in Australia? If yes then stay there period.

By the way, what makes aussies want to move to the US? I know Canadian move to Australia mainly due to the weather
 
Qewty

sorry for hearing that, BUT you dont know why such things could happened suddenly ! maybe you will have a better life and opportunity in US !

me also have the same job security concern, but as jacob@77 mentioned, i want to secure better life for my kids, since no future at where we are living now ( although I have a good job right now ) but no thing is secure or guaranteed for 6 months at least !

so i will take the challenge even if i will start a new carrier or starting from Zero
 
So sorry to hear that bad news, Qewty. The new management sound like real mongrels. I hope you find another path to realize your dream of moving to the US.

jayo2k said:
By the way, what makes aussies want to move to the US? I know Canadian move to Australia mainly due to the weather
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For us, Oz is very isolated in many ways, not just physical distance. We've always loved the US and enjoyed our many visits here. It offers different opportunities and lifestyle. Cost of living is less in most areas of the US, compared to Australia. Options for travel, nationally and internationally, are wider and often much cheaper. For instance, go on a roadtrip in Australia and it can be the same harsh landscape & homogenous culture for days. Roadtrips here offer much more variety.
 
Hey Q,

Sorry to hear about the turn of events.

Is your husband in a management position? If so, after transferring to the US (possibly on L-1 visa) you might be eligible to self-sponsor for Employment Based category I (EB-1) Green Card petition, which can be very fast and convenient. You may want to explore that idea and educate yourself about that possibility.

Fingers crossed for you.
 
Thank you for your lovely responses :) I will miss loitering on here, and it has become such a habit it might take a little while not to come as each morning over my coffee.

At this point we have decided to secure employment here, I will graduate and grab some experience after that and see how we feel. Perhaps the US may have an improved economy. Like many of you, I believe everything happens for a reason, it's just not obvious to us yet :)

Warmest of wishes and all the best to all of you.

Q

AKA Donna-Lee
 
Vichel said:
So sorry to hear that bad news, Qewty. The new management sound like real mongrels. I hope you find another path to realize your dream of moving to the US.



For us, Oz is very isolated in many ways, not just physical distance. We've always loved the US and enjoyed our many visits here. It offers different opportunities and lifestyle. Cost of living is less in most areas of the US, compared to Australia. Options for travel, nationally and internationally, are wider and often much cheaper. For instance, go on a roadtrip in Australia and it can be the same harsh landscape & homogenous culture for days. Roadtrips here offer much more variety.
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I see you had your interview in Montreal, first off, congrat, and second, what question do they ask? And if they asked about the finance, how much did the agent required?
 
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