Evening, morning, afternoon...

Augh all the women are nasty at the doctors?? Sheesh, maybe I will slip em some rescue remedy when I go up, or slap em. hehehe Ah well will wait on the medicals stuff. Is there any other doctors that do the medical besides that Wickam Terrace Crew?? Oh and Kath I found a vaccination list thingy in one of my searches, came in handy, looks like I may as well get the MMR, Tetanus & Varicella and my daughter the Hep B and Varicella, even though she had chicken pox when she was young, just don't want any hassles when tackling the AOS. Just a little pain to save a big pain later.

You are right Kath, the products are different, couldn't whip the cream like the stuff we have here either when I was over there, and finding pastry of any type pre-made was like a miracle. I made Mike a whole heap of meat pies, I ended up making my own pastry for the second and third batches. Hehehe I made him like two dozen or so, he kinda liked them. He still has one in his freezer and doesn't want to eat it, cause I made it. Had his parents and kids around for dinner a couple of times as well, first time they had ever had rinky dink aussie meat pies and of course had to go the Silverside with the cream baked potatoes.

Going to make some smaller ones in patty cake pans for at the wedding, gotta have some aussie food there. Making lamingtons and pavlova as well, wish they had cherrios over there, and not the breakfast cereal type the little sausages type.

Anyways I have made myself hungry now, off to dinner....

hi kaffy

there is the anzac square medical centre and this one
dr. jule ann whitehouse....abbot medical centre, shop 1a stockland's shopping centre earlville cairns.....07 4033 7666

that is the only other one mate..
ohhh by the way why dont you buy a sunbeam pie maker mate an get the adapter to use it over in the states.. i bought one 2 visits ago an took it over robbie loves it...im hoping for a pav wedding cake lol
kath

GGRRRR that's what I meant, anzac square, that's where the b*iatches are. And Cairns, well that is 2000km up north, I am in Brissie. That explains why they are so expensive then, like I said, a monopoly.

Guess I gotta grina and bear it. But I do sarcasm so well, they may be nasty and dopey. hehehehe

hi ya kaffy

did they tell you totally how much it is going to cost you..just interested cos down here in melb it will cost me $280 dollars for docs xray and blood test...

kath

Kath.....did you check out Matts link he posted a couple of weeks ago...some great info there.....I particularly liked the recipe section as they are conversions of aussie recipes using US products. Check it out everyone if you havent already.

http://www.matesupover.com/index.htm

Think I just might get myself a pie maker too before I leave. Any other suggestions on items that may come in handy??



And thanks for the link Matt

Yeah, what's with the cream (odd stuff) in the US and the pumpkin &.....&....? The soya milk is disgusting (most might think it always is I guess). Pavola wedding cake sounds great but........is it possible? Yeah did the meat pie (was a disaster with the gluten free flour). Had to have lamb cutlets, never again, cost a furtune in Joplin. Yes and I believe there may be still some rissoles left in the freezer. At least I had some success there. Bit embarrassing after skiting about what a good cook I am. I asked him start on a compost so I can grow vege's when I get there. Never thought of myself as being too fussy before. Now I know I am. We really are spoilt here with food aren't we. Just shows how much I love this guy cause I do love my food. I'm sure the recipes will come in handy from the "mates up-over"site.

Now on to bussiness. I have been checking out Air New Zealand flights and they have one that goes to Kansas City, which is the last airport on my trip. I was wondering if this would be my POE airport or would they consider LA to be???
I am really hoping to get the immigration stuff done at Kansas City (where Andrew will be picking me up)instead of LA so I don't have to stress about missing connecting flights (as I did on the way over last time) or maybe of booking a hotel in LA so as to give myself plenty of time. As this particular flight could be considered all one International trip. I was thinking I could avoid doing it at LA.
Thanks for any info any one,
Stella.

POE will have to be your FIRST point of entry - where you would go through customs

So it would be LAX - from what I hear it doens't seem so bad though!

Thanks Karo, such a quick reply and oops if I sounded like I was insulting US food. You do grow the most lovely men, one in particular I can think of anyhow.
Stella.

Hiya again Kath,

It's $242 for myself and my daughter for the medicals, THEN it costs $88 for the x-ray and $90 for the bloodtests making a nice little total of $662. Nice little business they got going there and rude to boot, sheesh.

I make Pies for Stewart all the time when he's here. I THINK i've mastered the American version of it

His FAVORITE pies in the world are Beaumont's - and I can say mine don't taste like those. I love pavlova, rissolles (sp?) and pies....not a fan of pasties or sausage rolls though.

I can't WAIT to get back to Oz!! I miss Stewart so much!! 20 days.

And no worries, When I can actually answer someone's question I get so excited!! I feel like I know what i'm doing for once.

kaffy,

hold off on getting the vaccinations until after you do the medical. they do a blood test that will show what you are immunised against, so, if you do need a vaccination then you only need to get specific ones done.

if you daughter had chicken pox when she was younger then she will be immune...you can only get it once. i have never had it before but i am apparently immune so i must have come into contact with it when i was a child and it didn't show up.

in regards to the pie maker, you can get them on ebay over here for about $15 if you don't want go through lugging one over here and then getting the adapter.

no worries about the link...my wife found it for me a while ago. there have been some great discussions on there and the majority of the people are very helpful. tonight we are doing this:

In the spirit of Mates Up-Over, whose objective has always been to support Aussie Expats, and find ways to "connect" with other Aussie Expats ... we introduce "Aussie Phone Madness"!

The first Aussie Phone Madness, is this coming Friday night (24th).

Here's the deal:

- You email me your phone number to rosemj@matesupover.com
- Phone numbers can not be sent any later than 6pm on Friday night.
- I put all the phone numbers into a hat and pair them off
- I email you back, with a phone number only - no name
- I include a time for you to call that number
- You call that number and talk for a maximum of 10 minutes
- You will also receive a call from the person who drew your number
- Entries will not be accepted unless I "know" the person
- Phoning times will be 8.15 pm, and 8.30 pm.
- Let me know if you'd prefer not to be given and Australian phone number.
- Shy people are especially encouraged to join in

Let's see how this goes .. it might very well be a regular event.

should be fun.

hope all is going well with everyone...i'm going to the golf range this morning to hit some balls and then probably do nothing for the rest of the day. i hate not working but when you are told that you will be given a job and to wait...what can you do?

matt

oooh Stewart is v. shy. I will tell him about that when he gets here

Yeah that Aussie Phone thingy does sound cool....I havent joined the site yet but I'm going to.....it looks like fun.

Now....still on 'food' .....can ya buy sausages in the US like we have out here I never seen any while I was there

hi kaffy
thats incredible...where do they get off charging these prices i wanna know...i reckon the embassey needs to look into this..

some good websites to look out for fares are

www.bestflights.com.au
www.costlesstravel.com.au
www.lastminute.com.au
www.airfaresflights.com.au
take care kath

hi

hey there matt glad to hear ya still alive an kicking mate...got home an the heat hit me ..i had got so use to ohio cold lol...that sounds like a fantastic idea ... a lady on my flight was so rapt to hear an aussie accent she hadnt heard one in 2 weeks so this would help in that area cos i know i miss the accent....ohhh matt on food business...when i get over there matt if ya dont mind can i ring ya from time to time thats if ya wife wont mind mate

aussie
i did not find one damm sausage in toledo that are like ours.. robbie is a big polish sausage fan although i love um too they are just not like our banger in a nice piece of bread with onions.mmmmmmmmmm damm it was the first thing i made when i got home lol...and their bread sucks too ..i just cant put my finger on it but its not the same as ours..

Dang.......maybe I gotta buy myself a sausage maker too to bring with me. Wonder if can get the skins though.....shute I love my sausage n onions on a sanger

StellaR
i came through lax in december on a k1 visa and it was a breeze no problems at all i was totaly through and out of the airport with in 1 half hours from the time we landed.
also in regards to your vaccinaitions i went to my own gp and got a blood test done to see what i needed and what i didnt i took a print out of the required ones from the ausis site here the only one i need was tetnus so it was done by my gp and all bulk billed i then got the doctor to print out a vaccanition record and a copy of my blood tests and i took them to my medical the doctor at the medical accepted them as proof and filled out the proper from and he also gave me a copy of it as well i got this done well before my medical so i had it all to take hope this helps

Karo112 do you have a receipe for pastry for meat pies? or someone lol it just dont seem to work like it does in aus

Kath&Rob hows it all going for you i love the pic of the big heart i need to set up that site and put my pics on it to

hi aussie
we have talked about that ...you must be able to buy um if robbie suggested i make my own lol will enquire about this one lol..

i just rang my local doc pathology place...i asked her if i could get the hiv on medicare she reckons i should be able to...told her about the 60 dollar fee they were gunna charge me an she said go for it just get the pathology sheet from your doc and i will do it...so next week will do that..better 60 dollars in my pocket than theirs i reckon..
take care
kath

Just thought I'd add my bit on Best Flights. I had a hell of a time with them and in the end the management said they were going to have an internal investigation about it. They were always very nice just incompetent. I have almost forgotten every detail but they almost gave me a stroke. First they booked me dates that went over the 90 day thingy (I trusted them to count 90days) then for weeks they just couldn't seem to get those dates right on my ticket. They kept telling me it was ok & not to worry. I kept telling them I was worried and felt the correct dates on my ticket would help me not to worry and thought it was only fair with the money the things cost. They just kept sending me over & over again tickets with wrong dates. Must of rung them several times a day. Asked to speak to management and they did sort if a couple of days before I was to leave. I also have gluten and lactose intolerance & also asked for an isle seat (spinal problems) which they continually told me they had sorted. I rang the air lines myself to check on tickets & guess? what no mention of either of those requests. Thought I got that sorted till the actual flight. The flight attendants (Air Tahiti Nui) were very good and did try to find me something to eat on the plane but I was extremly hungry by the time I got to my destination. Glad I took some snacks with me, half my hand luggage was food.

Know I will be joining that up-over site. After many months of not hearing an Australian accent when you do get to hear one you feel like they are your best friend.

No Aussy style sausages in Joplin either.
Stella

I'm pretty sure I seen a recipe for pie pastry in the recipe section of the link I just reposted of Matt's...'matesupover'

hey angela

how is it going over there mate...doing fine here starting to organise things here...
that heartman is too cute huh he is a big cuddly thing..lol its been warm here in melb but im surviving...how you coping with the cold over there..ohh your not in the cold are you i forgot..lol...

robbie is busy getting the stuff ready for the interview...he got his employer letter then i said hang on there isnt anything about ya wages or what your position is..so he took the guidelines he printed out an took it back into work the next day and got it correctly done...
you take care angela
kath

damm stella what a nightmare you must of had with them.. i would of demanded a free flight for the future or at least a momentry compensation for all the anguish...i havent bought through them was going to this time round...i went through costless last visit they were fine a bit of a wait for my ticket but all was done correctly...

kath

hey Kath

well yep it has been bloody freezing here specially of a morning it gets done to like -5 and -6 but the days get up to mid 20 (thats aussie temp) still having trouble converting. I think we have everything ready to send in our aos next week been checking and double checking it all. Got my ssn in my married name. waiting to get my licence but still driving on my aussie one and every so often rudy has to say you planning on driving from that side of the car because i get in the wrong side with the keys lol old habbits hard to brake. but everything is wonderful

angela

Recipe for Short Crust Pastry

6oz Self Raising Flour
2oz Plain Flour
1/2 Tsp Salt
4oz Margarine
4 Tblspn Water

Sift Flour & Salt into a mixing bowl.
Rub in margarine until mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.
Make a well in the centre and add water. Stir in with a butter knife, then finish off combining by hand.
Flour an area and the rolling pin with plain flour. Roll out to a thickness of about a 1/4 inch.
Brush the top with beaten egg so it browns nicely.
Bake in a hot oven (400F) until golden brown.

Nummie!!!

I usually cut strips (about an inch) with the remainder of the pastry and roll them up to make roses and then cut out leaves with the rest!! Makes it look pretty!!!

hey matt

i just looked at that site that aussiewench posted...i found an aussie in toledo..omg i cant believe it...i wont feel so alone now hehehe only know her name is tina...

can ya join without living over there matt...
talk to you soon mate
kath

Oh this is so good, getting to share in everybody's bits of information.

Kath, Think I just might try that costless mob this time. I may have been just a one off, bad luck, everything went wrong case with Best Flights but I ain't risking it again. If you do choose to book thru them I would suggest to bale at the first sign of trouble. They do seem to have some very good prices though.
Not being a well seasoned traveller, why does nobody seem to book direct with the airlines? does it cost more to book thru the actual airline as it is starting to look like it does to me?

hi stella

well it seems that way ... say you go to a website agent...and compare the prices to the airline they are advertising.. you will notice the airlines direct website are alot dearer...not often ya can get a good deal directly mate...
i thank the time that i found this site ya know stella...its been a wealth of information and you dont need to ask question just search and read..its good too ..to get to know others in the same boat you dont feel so alone in the process...
take care
kath

hi all,

first things first. i got 2 emails last night from USCIS confirming that my AOS has been approved and that i will get my card shortly!!! yea fcuking ha!

kath, you certainly can ring and it won't be a problem with chanin...just send me an email to get my number.

yes, you can join matesup over from where ever you are. you don't have to be in the US.

i think in regards to sausages, your best bet would be to try pork sausages. you can get them in any supermarket that i've been into and that's basically what ours back in oz are. also, i think the thing with the bread is it's very sweet and it doesn't go stale cause it's so full of preservatives.

the phone madness last night was great and it looks like it will be a monthly thing. if you join MUO, just introduce yourself and you will find the people that frequent the site are quite nice...and a bit cheeky too.

they also have another activity every year called matesfest. where they organise a venue and it's one big aussie gathering. don't know where it will be this year as yet but i will hopefully try to go.

i'm off to do some shopping.

matt

haha I use pre made pie dough It's in the freezer section ... it's ummm...shoot I can't think of the name of it. It's pepperidge farm I think. yes, I totally cheat.
It's not beaumont's but Stewart at least pretends to love it

hi matt

thanks for that...will have to join up...melb weather is up the creek again... we had three lots of heavy rain yesterday havent seen rain like it in ages...will email you soon matt...

karo not long for your visit are you all excited ... would love to catch up when ya in melb..give me a ho if you have time mate

well im back to bed only got up cos i was worried that my boy would sleep in an he has to work today..
talk to ya all later
take care
kath

happy birthday lorelle.

matt

hi there

sent an email to sydney embassey asking what the procedure is to get an extention ....wow it took um 3 days last one took 10 to answer lol

they reckon only the u.s. citz can request the extension so..robbie is drafting a letter out an sending it to me to do so..cos we want an interview in june sometime..so fingers crossed we get it...

hope everyone is going well and patience isnt running too thin...

take care
kath

OMG OMG!! It is on it's way to Sydney!!! Just checked with the NVC, said it was processed on the 24th (2 FREAKIN DAYS!) and was sent today!!!!!!

Sooooooooo not used to fast moving in this process, my head is spinning!!

Thats great news!! Are you busy making sure all your paperwork is done and in order?? Im sure since youve been waiting this long its been done for AGES....

You betcha Mellie. Mike has got together all the stuff he needs to send out to me. I have already put in for my Police Certificate and my other daughter's birth certificate. Can't book the medicals til I get the letter from the consulate. But getting what needles I need this week. ow. So pretty organised, I think...

hi kaffy

way cool mate ...you know you can check on dhl to see when it was sent off to sydney and to see when it arrives

smiling for ya big time here mate
take care
kath

Hiya Kath,

Yep we already did that. Went searching around and saw Mellies post about tracking it with DHL using "Expedite NIV Section" as a reference. We saw that a parcel was sent to Sydney on the 27th, so Mike was on the phone and checking up on it this morning. NVC said it left on the 24th. Seeing as the only stuff sent out was on the 22nd and then a heap on the 27th, we are assuming it was packed up ready to go on the 24th and entered into the system that it was done and the actual pickup was the 27th. I even was so cheeky as to get an email notification on the suspect parcel once it is delivered to Sydney.

Either way, we are totally stoked after the major stagnate at CSC.

hi kaffy

way cool .. i just sent you an email on just that lol...well done mate

kath

hi everyone we finally sent out our aos yesterday now for the long wait
angela

hi there

thought i would let ya know that pris got her interview for 22nd march havent seen her post it an its been a few days now so i thought i would let ya's know

no news here really am going for my blood test on saturday for hiv an syphillis the test of if i can get it on medicare will be found out lol

then friday going to get my fingerprints done ..then comes the medical
later all
take care
kath

kath

im not sure if your process works the same as k1 did but i had to have my blood test done for both of those by the doctor doing the visa medical. there is a form that has to been signed by the person taking the blood to say that they have seen your passport and you are who you say you are. When i went for my medical the doctor did the medical stuff then he took me out to the nurse who took the blood and she had to sign the form as well. After that they sent me for my xray and the same had to be done there. the blood test had to be sent back to the visa doctor so he could fill in the paper work. Sorry if i have miss understood what you wrote but id hate to see you have to have the blood test done again....

angela

oh oh. Our papers are with the delivery courier as I type. On their way to the Consulate right freakin now.

... not that I am watching or anything.....

Darn courier, must be taking a coffee break....

hmmmm angela ..when i rang the docs the receptionist just said you can bring the tests in or get them faxed nothing about a form being signed...well what i could do is ring the damm doctors again to see if they will fax it to my work to take it to my local pathologist...will see how we go tomorrow..
thanks for that..angela...by the way is the form in the packet or is it one that he produced..

hope all is well and spring is nearer for you angela...
take care mate
kath

hey kaffy

i took a peek it was delivered as before u posted they just hadnt put it on the website lol...4.29pm thurs lol

congrats ya in sydney mate..now the wait for the packet 3
take it easy it will arrive
kath

I knoooooooooooow, so exciting. Everything is just boom, boom, boom now. My daughter and I went out to the shops so I would stop obsessing over the dhl site.

Poor Mike was trying to stay up and see when it got delivered, I told him to get his cute butt to bed as it may not be delivered today for some reason. Bet it is the first thing he looks at when he gets up in the morning.

The last three weeks have been such a great trip, every week there is another step taken towards us being back together, permanently. Can you tell I am just a little bit over the moon right now??

Looks like we should be able to do our June 30th Wedding afterall. Sooooooo damn happy.

no more excited than i was kaffy lol...and yes it does go boom boom boom lol

happy fer ya
kath

awwwwwww thanks Matt.......Im sorry I didnt see this till now. I haven't been on here as much of late. The end of this visa journey is nearing and I still have so much to do in readiness to leave. Have a wedding (my sons) that Im busy helping out with the organisation too.

Yayyyyyyyyyyy congrats Kaffy and angela on your news........how exciting I know I was telling Dan today that Im really starting to get all excited and nervous as this all draws nearer for me. I know I am going to be a basket case by the time I get to interview


Cheers all

Lorelle

it's about time Lorelle

I haven't been around much either. My only news is, I leave 2 weeks from today

that's ok lorelle. when you're busy you're busy.

i've got nothing to report to you all...i haven't got the green card in the mail yet but i did get another 3 emails on tuesday from the clowns at uscis saying that it had been approved. funny, i got the welcome to america letter last week.

also, i had my first golf lesson yesterday (it was meant to be last week but the pro was sick). i didn't realise how much i was doing wrong. he gave me some drills to work on and i go for the next lesson in 2 weeks.

i'm off to the golf shop to spend some more money.

matt

KATH

i have found the form that you need it is on page 25 of the old forum and it is the last page the ausie and princess uploaded. i also sent it to your hot mail for you. it is on the list of doctors for australia and right down the bottom it says to be comlpeted by you in front of panal doc and then under that it says to be completed by doctor xray and blood tests supervisors
when i went for my interview they kept this form as part of my medical.

angela

yes it is in the packet that you get

hi ya angela
thank you so much for pointing that out i looked at that but didnt click the laboratory space for blood testing...

what i might do is make a copy of it an take it with me get the lady to sign witness my passport and licence...then take it with me to the medical and take the blank one also if i need it..but that should all be ok if i do it that way surely..will ring um this morning anyways..
take care
kath