Thanks again Kath! Starting to get a tad nervous..but I am sure things will go smoothly...I am praying they are. If you could send me some pics that would be great, otherwise where would the taxi drop me if not outside the embassy?

My email is tamzo22@hotmail.com.. Thank you so much! I'll be sure to let you all kwn how things went...

Hampster..I am sure your interview works the same as a k1 interview...just aim to be there before 10am...pit it's not on the same day...would have been great to have some VJ moral support there with me! Goodluck!!!

Hi Tamzo22,

I wish you a speedy and great result for your visa interview.

I am looking at taking the train from domestic airport,
to Ultimo rd Haymarket, where my hotel is.

Cheers
Paul

Hi Tamzo,

Just saw your question about interview times. For the K1 Visa I think times are allotted there where about 3 others arriving at 8.00am when I did mine. Interviews for K1s run in order of ticket number, you get this once you arrive in the consulate. The lifts are secure and open around 7.30-40am so get there then if you want to get processed first.

All K1's walk into the Consulate and are expected to take a ticket from the machine. You will see it in front of you as you walk in. You are then served in order of ticket number. So try to get into the lift last so you are first going through security and first into the consulate and get your ticket first. I was first up because I was first in line out of the lift.

Yell out if you have any other questions!

PS if you are carrying water security will expect u to drink some in front of them!

GOOD LUCK TO YOU AND PAUL!!!!

HI Paul

I Moved from Adelaide to Massachusetts 3 years ago, and yes you do have to sit for written exam, plus eye exam


lynny

hi ya all

happy easter to ya

tamzo and hammy i sent you an email of pic hope you get them ok..

hi lynny how are you wow now thats a coincidence ...hammy will be pleased to have someone from his state in oz in the states...was just looking at your vj timeline you were in FBI name check for like ages before you received your greencard ....you have june 2006 receving it..i cant understand this name check thing taking so long when they do so many on us lol hope life is going great for you lynny...

easter aint the same as in chocy eggs as in oz...can someone eat me a gorgeous cadbury egg for me i miss our chocy so much....

take care
kath

For all the "Chocoholics"

If you find yourself about to binge on chocolate,
try and delay it.
Ask yourself what you really want.
You may find when you begin to probe into what you want,
it has nothing to do with food or eating.
The chocolate is just an inadequate way of getting your mind off your problem. Learn to confront and deal with stressful issues as they arise.
Don't look to chocolate for comfort.

Don't shoot the messenger..lol
just something I found online..

Cheers
Paul

Hi Kath


My Greencard was actually approved in Oct 2005, but I did not received it till June, the person who interviewed me forgot to sign some paperwork so the greencard was not printed , lucklly he stamped my passport ( which they dont do now ) so I was able to continue working and i could travel home to OZ for xmas of 2005

Quote from Paul: "For all the "Chocoholics"...... "

Hi my name is girlfrmoz and I'm a chocoholic!!!

Hey Paul how's your preps going for your interview?? Are you organised and ready. When's Tamzo's interview? It's 2 days before yours isn't it??

Hi Lynny nice to meet you!

Hey Rings I will be in Colorado soon. Yell out if you wanna catch up....that is.....before your man arrives!

Ohhh Kath is offline...must be getting some sleep for a change!

We haven't heard from Vik I wonder how she's doing??

Hi Lyndel , welcome to the group "Chocoholics R Us"

Tamzo's interview is on this Thursday 12th April at 8.00am
My CR1 Interview is @ 10.00am Friday the 13th ..

Am organised and ready yes for interview,
I even bought a new outfit for it . even a Tie
And having a Chrome Dome Haircut and shave at my favorite Barber Shop.

The old fashion Barber Shop.
The old style barber chair cut throat razors,
steaming hot towels.. but no Old Spice aftershave lol..
I bring my own aftershave..

Kath has been very ful regarding getting around Sydney,
like train schedule's and stations close to my Hotel in Haymarket.
Thankyou Kath

So Lyndel how is your packing going humm
Not long b4 you fly out

Well hope everyone is well and happy

Cheers
Paul

hi lynny
damm that must of been frustrating for you...how did you find out that he didnt sign the paperwork..i would of docked his pay for that lol been here this long have you lost your aussie accent yet?

hi lyndel
yes i sleep...im a vampire up all night scowering the net for victims lol...ya a cheeky woman lol ya right we havent heard from vik yet prob doesnt have a computer set up yet or just in heaven lol running around organising her wedding which is on my wedding anniversary...

hi paul
your most welcome..wasnt hard to figure out ...did ya get the pics in the end lol

stands up and freely admits to the group my name is kath and im a chocoholic but since i have been here i have been good...lol

hey tamzo did ya get the pics i sent you?

talk ya all later behave yaselves
kath

Hi all! Except for the lack of good chocolate I hope all had a happy Easter. Not much news here - Stewart celebrated his one year in the US so that was fun.

hope everyone is well and I'm SOOO thinking of all of you with interviews coming up! GOOD LUCK!

Hello All,

Hope everyone enjoyed their Easter. I did not realize how unacceptable our chocolate is! Anyhoo Go USA

Hi All!!!

Goodluck to those with upcoming interviews!!

Really quick q...for those who are shipping or have shipped items from Oz to the States -- did you guys have to pay customs fee? Im looking into this one shipping company but they want to charge $590AUS for customs (and door to door delivery). But I thought if you are sending personal belongings on a immigrant visa, and goods are 1+ yrs old and you have no intention of selling you dont have to pay a customs fee? Anyone have experience with that? I'm going to check if the Post office Sea Mail will charge customs because if they dont, it might be cheaper for me to send two boxes of 20kgs at $160 a piece.

OOh Aussie dollar is going strong -- who is exchanging their money now? Im tempted to!

It is 2 days, 11 hours, 56 minutes and 0 seconds until,
Friday, 13 April 2007 at 10:00:00 AM (Adelaide time)

For my CR1 Interview @ Sydney Consulate

Tamzo22 good luck with yours.

Deciding wether to have some "CADBURY'S CHOCOLATE"
Maybe have a "Crunchie" or some "Kit Kats"

Cheers

Paul

YAY Hampster! Good luck to you! I just know everything is going to work out for you because you have done everything so well this far. I hope that everyone is doing well and thank you so much for the Aussie recipies! I am going to try my hand at some of them when David comes home.

Hi Folks

I read this forum all the time, nice to see all the posts and fellow Aussies i dont contribute much as i never know what to say. Good luck with your interview Paul and I wish everyone else going through their journeys and where they are at all good stuff and thanks for all the recipes.

If anyone is ever is in Durango let me know, be nice to meet

Take care
Parys

hi aussiegal

how ya doing....mate you can post anything here some days i dont have anything to say ...lol..i have finished with USCIS ..but the guys and gals are great in here nice way to keep in contact with fellow aussie that have gone through or going through the process...

i arrived in the states in June 2006 too..im in toledo ohio...there a few aussie in colardo or going to be there...so there will be a few in ya state soon lol Did ya get to see your aussie dvd's yet..lol i read you were looking for a dvd player ages ago...

hi caroline wow a year already ... what did you do to celebrate...

hi rings remind david to bring on his next visit in may a few things that he wont miss in oz while waiting for his interview..oh also tell him to get some medication that he knows works in oz over with him...that way they are there when he lives there...eg..headache tablets...allergy tabs...i wish i had of brought more over with me ..the stuff here is too strong for me they send me gar gar lol...

hi elle
sorry cant help ya on this one mate...i didnt bring stuff over with me ...from what i have read on here ya right about that 1 year thing...maybe aussiegal can help ya out she brought stuff over with grace brothers i think it was...

hi hammy and tamzo
good luck to you both ...you will do fine...let us know how you go we want updates from both of you lol i get so excited when i know the aussies are going for their interview its a new life style starting over but also a sad time too..

moonie hi ya ....when ya had aussie chocy mate nowt is better lol...i dont know what it is that makes it different...prob the cocoa...but there is definetly a difference...lol...and in sayin that we do also get the cheap yukky chocy also there...lol...
take care you lot
kath

ohhh forgot to add...i went for my oreientation today at the hospital...went went will be doing one day a week for 4 hours in the pharmacy dept/gift shop...labeling bottles...serving customers..counting out medication..sort perscriptions stock refilling..

gotta have a TB test done...will start in a few weeks my doc an reference person is slack in returning the forms lol..bought a jacket that volunteers wear..so im all set ...nearly lol

bugga...tried to edit what i put on the end..arrh well start again...


bloody hell i did a refresh what i typed before and its there noww so have deleted it... this post lol

Congratulations Kath!!! That's awesome news and it sounds like the work will be interesting. So when do you start?

Hi CarolineM, how you are you!

Tamzo and Paul you are almost there!!! YAY!!! Hey Paul, what were the name of those luggage locks you recommended??

Hi Elle, sorry I don't have an answer on the customs costs, have been slack with the shipping cause I am not going to do mine until I am working over there. I have sent stuff via air mail though 10kg cost me approx $145. It's expensive but saves me worrying about excess baggage costs.

Hey Aussiegal...I think Durango is somewhere near where I am going to be isn't it???

Being a little chocolate connoiseur I can definitely say that in USA chocolate the food regs allow the use of less cocoa than here in Oz and that is what makes the difference. Sad but true! Sigh.... But OMG Teddy Grahams are so much nicer than our Tiny Teddies...seriously. I could eat a whole box!

Kath, AussieGal, Rings , Elle , Tamzo22 ,
CarolineM, Moonie and Lyndel , and the M.I.A. Aussiewench..

I too am a Chocoholic

But have been a good lil Vegemite and been watching my Cholesterol

Thanks to the above metioned Chocoholics for your ongoing support,
Stirringness lol and your advice and on this my Visa Journey.

Am gonna be quick cos I'm at work and the boss'll be back in a mo...

Just wanna say goodluck Paul, you'll do great I know it..!!!

J loved The Great Ocean road and the B&B was lovely nestled in truly gorgeous aussie surroundings and the rainforest walks were amazing...looking forward to showing him more, maybe Ballarat next...

Good luck everyone else on their journey; Rings, Moonie etc.. and congrats on starting the job Kath..

Be back soon.....

Priscilla,

thanks for your kind thoughts and well wishes
Glad he loved the Great Ocean Rd
we stayed on the beach at a place called Henty Beach Caravan / Cabin place,
on the G.O.R. we stayed in a brand new 2 bedroom cabin it was beautiful.
Make sure you take Joshua to Eureka Stockade as well.
lot of aussie history there eh!!
With your dates of your NOA1 my calculations ( rough estimate)
your 130 should be approved by around 1st May 07..
just a rough estimate as i stated 74 days seems to be the "norm"
our 130 was approved in 68 days from sending in ours.
wishing you a great time while joshua is in town.

Cheers
Paul

Wow it just seemed like yesterday you guys had 22 days to go before your interviews!

Good luck!!!

Us waiting on the sideline want all the details


My poor Aussie hubby to be got stung in the head by a bee! What a strange thing!

Thanks for explaination as to why our chocolate is so

When I was in Melbourne I went to Haigh's I believe had me some brownies and champagne truffles It was good!

I had an interview today for a job that I want, close to home...way more money and happy looking people!

I hope I get it..not working sucks XXX!!!!

Oh that sounds like it would have been superb...I will keep Eureka Stockade in mind, cheers.

Thanks for your calculations, I do hope you're right, although if we don't figure out our tax debacle our I-864 aint gonna go too smoothly....

Again, good luck

It's his 30th today, gonna wine and dine him tonight...

My poor Aussie hubby to be got stung in the head by a bee!
What a strange thing! ouch

It's his 30th today,
gonna wine and dine him tonight... and

Happy 30th Birthday Joshua!

Birthday Cake Recipe for our boy!


Birthday MudCakeServes: 8


Ingredients
250 g butter
[b]200 g NESTLÉ PLAISTOWE
Dark Cooking Chocolate,
broken into small pieces
2 cups sugar
1 cup hot water
2 Tbsp NESCAFÉ Blend 43
2 egg, lightly beaten
1 1/2 cups plain flour
1/2 cup self-raising flour
1/4 cup NESTLÉ Baking Cocoa
200 g NESTLÉ PLAISTOWE
Dark Cooking Chocolate,
extra 1/2 cup cream]

Method

1. Combine butter, PLAISTOWE Dark Cooking Chocolate,
2. sugar, hot water and NESCAFÉ Blend 43 in a pan.
3. Stir over low heat until the mixture is smooth and the chocolate has melted.
4. Cool for 10 minutes then transfer mixture into a large bowl.
5. Add eggs, beat well.
6. Add sifted dry ingredients to the chocolate mixture,
7. blend thoroughly. Pour mixture into greased and lined 23cm deep round cake pan.
8. Bake in 160ºC oven 1½ hours or until cooked.
9. There maybe a little moist cake mixture on metal skewer
10. when inserted into centre of cake, this is normal for mud cake,
11. do not over cook.
12. Stand cake in the pan for 10 minutes then turn out onto wire rack to cool.
13. Combine extra PLAISTOWE Dark Cooking Chocolate
14. and cream in heatproof bowl, place over simmering water,
15. stir until melted and smooth.
16. Refrigerate 30 minutes until thick,
17. spread over top and sides of cake.

Enjoy your time together!!


Thanks Moonie

"had an interview today for a job that I want,
close to home...way more money
and happy looking people!

I hope I get it..not working sucks XXX!!!!

Good luck sent your way for you,
to get this new happier more money job!!

Cheers

Paul

good luck to those that have their interview soon, you will do great , just remember to be organized

Paul what part of Massachusetts are you moving to

Lyndel, the name of the locks are called " T.S.A. LOCKS.
They are usually combination locks and easy enough,
for customs/immigration to open them.. saves using keys eh!!
You can buy them at any reputable Luggage place.
They are expensive.. around $20.00 per lock but are,
acceptable by most airlines and customs as well.
Cheers
Paul

Hey Lynny,

I am moving to Marlborough, Massachusetts not far from Framingham.

Prolly all catch up for a Coffee when.. I settle in

Just curious ..how many Aussies are in Massachusetts
That have gone through V.J. ?


Lyndel..... hmmm "Being a little chocolate connoiseur"


Nuff said lol ....little

Cheers
Paul

welll...for his one year anni his sister and BIL were in town so we went to a fancy dinner with my parents. It was nice. I just can't believe it's been over a year now. Seems like just YESTERDAY we were compiling all of our evidence for our interview.

See - it'll go that fast for everyone I just know it.

Everything's good - not much news

Hey!

We stayed at a bed and breakfast off the Great Ocean road at Airey's Inlet for our wedding and it was wonderful. The beauty there is just amazing! I wonder if we were around the same place. I simply loved it there and I hope that David and I will be going back there sometime.

Thanks Kath! I gave David the messages regarding bringing medicine and stuff that he would think he may need with him. I am also going to have him bring a suitcase of stuff so we have less to transport later.

YAY - 25 MORE DAYS UNTIL I TOUCH MY HUSBAND AGAIN!!!!

hi ya

good on ya rings....whooo hooo 25 days to go..how is your I-130 going have you been touched on that one yet or received your NOA1 for it?

well its 9.30am there in sydney now..so hammy would of landed and on a train to his hotel..and tamzo will be in the consulate waiting to be interviewed...the suspense is killing me hehehehe i do hope there wasnt any complications for them...

caroline way to go on celebrating with the family for stewarts first anni mate..an how lovely for his sis an BIL being there too...and i know what ya mean about how time flies..i been here now for 10 months come the 25th

talk to ya's all later
kath

I know that they both are excited!

I can't wait to hear how it goes!

Welcome Parys! Nice name.

Just jump in with stuff like where you live in Oz and how you met or whatever, don't mind us...



We stayed in Port Campbell so we drove right by AI and I thought of you guys that would have been a gorgeous setting. Am excited for your meet up...!!!

Have already found a place in Ballarat's Sovereign Hill where we will stay in colonial style for the weekend....mmm

NOT happy that I'm going to be missing 4th July celebrations at his mother's house with all his friends and family AND his mother's wedding...!!!

Hey Pris, you should be in the US by the 4th of July. How long have you been on the journey now? Seems like ages, I hope your hourney speeds up!

Waiting patiently for an update from Tamzo or Paul or both or SOMEBODY...jeeeeze!!! How exciting! The suspense is killing me!!!

hi ya pris
hopefully you will here by then mate..ya never know huh...thats one place we didnt get to when robbie went to oz...or the melbourne goal...we went to the grampians and lake entrance and showed him melbourne..he absolutely loved melbourne...

hey lyndel how u doing
i know what ya mean...tamzo would be well and truely out by now...wondering if her friends place has a computer...
and hammy has about 17 hours before his i think...
i rekcon the waiting to hear something is worse than going for the damm interview lol...
kath

well hammy will be in the consulate right now thumbing through all his paperwork...hope he got a seat near the view its awesome

hi ya aussie angel i can see you how you going mate..are you working over here yet....

kath

hey Kath

no im not working yet im still having alot of trouble with my ankle of a night the swelling goes down but as soon as i get out of bed the next day it swells up again, and the dam thing still hurts and its been 6 weeks. im very sick of my self not being able to drive. on a different note what about these winds are you geting them where you are Kath being out here in the desert i havent been able to even see the house next door for the dirt its unbelieveble.

i see where you are starting some volunteer work at the hospital hope you enjoy it and it will get you out and about. so hows everything going with you and Rob.
right about now id kill for some cadburys chocolate its the best in the world

Has anyone heard from Hamster yet?

angela

I have the NOA1, but no touch yet... do you think I should call?



Where is Hammy?!?!?! I hope it goes okay for them *crosses fingers*

The suspense is killing me!

*** I NEED A CHERRY RIPE ***

24 DAYS UNTIL I TOUCH MY HUSBAND <--- ok that may get annoying lol


I edit because I can't spell on the first go around.......

HAMMMMMMMY.......post the good news already!! We are all waiting in anticipation!

Ditto that! I look forward to his review!

BTW Paul, you are moving to Marlborough? LOL, I went there for business twice the last 6 months. I also drive by there everytime I visit the family up in Nashua. It's only another 45 minutes from Marlborough.

Hurry up with the news already!

23 DAYS!!!!! <---- okay I know that's annoying now, but I can't help it lol

well we got two VJ'ers MIA ...tamzo and hamster..

come on you two give us a hint lol

ohhh rings you are as bad as my husband use to be ...his first words on msn use to be how many days left to go before i get there lol....why dont you get one of the tickers will take ya right down to the hour and minutes lol

take care
kath

Please call off the Bounty Hunters and the National Guard.. please lol

I'm back from Sydney and .....

Jeeeze Paul...bout time so??? stop being a tease and tell us how you went!!!!

No chocolate for Hampster.

thats mean of ya paul lol ...is everything ok...

Lets start from the beginning shall we..

Well flew into Sydney Thursday Morning arriving at 8.40am..

Got a train from the Airport to Central Station,
then a Tram to Haymarket, cost $15.20
where my Hotel was........ ,
can pre-pay tram and bus and train tickets at the station,
through a ticket vending machine.

Then got to my Hotel.. Aarons on Ultimo Rd.around 10.00am
Dropped of my Luggage there,
as my room wouldn't be ready till 12.00pm Midday.
So I walked all around ChinaTown where Haymarket is.
Across the road was "Paddy's Market"
where you could buy anything, for a price.

They even sold wigs there and I thought..
should I buy one for the interview nooooooo I didn't lol.
They also do sorta like Henna Tattooing there as well...
I though hmmm......
(remembering the day before I shaved my Head )
Wouldn't it be funny to have 2 eyes,
tattooed on the back of my head lol hehehe.

For a Aussie in Chinatown do you think I could find a place,
that sold Fish and Chips nooooooooooooooooooo.

Anyways Got back to my Hotel went upstairs and got into my room.
Basic room.. with tv, kettle, mini bar fridge..(no Alcohol)
and a double bed that was hard but comfortable..

Was a 1st floor room with a alleyway outside my window where,
in chinatown they prepare all sorts of food... nuff said
Slept that night for about ohhhhhh 3 hours...
woke up made a cuppa tea at 6.30am..
Then showered, shaved and dressed and took my stuff downstairs,
they allowed me to keep my luggage there till I returned.

So..... around 8.30 am I walked to George Street..
about 3 streets away to catch a bus that went to Martin Place.
FYI all buses that go down George street Goes past Martin Place.
Its about a 7 Minute ride,
from George street to CONSULATE...cost $1.20 1 way.
So I got into the Consulate(10th floor security)
had to take off my belt shoes,
and my rings and empty out my pockets of change,
as well as turning of my Mobile Phone.
They Keep Mobile and give you a plactic card,
with the logo of the consulate and when you come back down,
to go out after interview just give them the card and they will,
in turn give you back what they kept .. mobile phone or any other bags.

So I get to the 59th floor..
take my Immigration # number from the machine.
Number # 14.. time stamped 9.47am...

there where about 30 people in there when I arrived.

So I sat at the window overlooking Sydney Harbor Bridge..
then walked around awhile.
Sat down again then got up for another walk.
There was a few couples thre applying for visa's. omg!!
They had arrived at the Consulate with no $$$ to pay their fee.
They arrived at the consulate had their numbers called,
Some didn't have their affidavid of support..
or tax returns or other stuff that put them in hot water.

By this time it was 12.50pm..
Considering My Interview was scheduled for 10.00am...
And once the Consulate Officer (Dragon Lady),
had their file in front of her and they where at the window,
she had to follow up on their case till they returned,
with their information or cash or whatever they needed to get this done.
By this time.. I was really hanging out for a Smoke
so i was waiting there nearly 4 hours past my interview time..
there was another lady in window 2 Amber doing Cr1 interviews as well.
So I got called to Window 2 FINALLY @ 3.30pm
She was very pleasant and Apologies profusely about the delays..
So she checked all my paperwork,
she commented that if other people going for visa's,
was as organised as My Papework was done,
People wouldn't have to wait around for 4 + hours for their Interview.
She looked at everything and said ok Paul,
take a seat and you will be called to Window # 6,
by the Consular Officer doing your Interview.
I said thankyou and sat down by the window again.
Waited till around 4.10pm and was called to Window #2.

Nice guy around 30ish and said hello Paul,
I said G'day lol...
He said so Paul what is your reason for your Visa.
I said well My Wife and I got Married last year,
In Adelaide and she had to go back to work
a couple days, after we got married,
and I wanted to move overseas to be with her.
He said oh ok ( playing dumb lol)
He then asked how long had we known each other for,
how did we meet, what does Cheryl Do for a Job,
I told him and he said oh ok..
Then he said Have you checked the box for a SS #,
I said yes I did request a SS# On my DS 230.
He goes ok no worries.
Then he asked did I bring a 3kg parcel express bag,
with my return address on it.
I said yes it is under the next page that you are looking at ..lol
He checked and laughed oh ok lol

And then he said well take these paper with you.. and it said..

WELCOME TO AMERICA

He said Congratulations Paul your Visa has been APPROVED.
I said gimme a Low 5 lol he said what?
I said it was a version of high 5 slap
I then proceeded to slide my fingers under the glass partion,
and he oblidged and gave me a low 5 by touching my fingers with his.
He and I just cracked up laughing..
He said that is the 1st time he has ever heard of that happening lol.

so I walked out of the 59th floor @ 4.30pm,

went down to the 10th and the Guard asked
do I need to pick anything up from security.
I said nope with a big Sh_t Eating grin on my face
So I walked out of the MLC Building and instead of catching the bus back,
to my Hotel I decided to walk back.
I got a Kilometre away and realised omfg I left my phone,
at security on the 10th floor. so i ran back and got to the 10th floor,
security check point.. and the guards said...
Wondered how long you would take to realise you left it here lol.
So all in all it was a great day.
As soon as I got back to my hotel I rang and left a Voicemail,
On Cheryls Cell phone and said we got the visa!!!!!!!.
So we caught up on the phone before I left Sydney,
and she was sooooo happy and said,
well we knew we where gonna get it.
So to all tht are going through Sydney Consulate..

Make sure you take water ( have some in front of Security)
And take a Magazine or a paper be prepared for a wait..
Hopefully not as long as Mine was..
Remember to take a number as soon as you walk in,
and be patient as it's all you can do.

Thank you all that have been curious about how I went.

Any word from Tamzo?

Ok hope everyone is well and are happy.

Cheers

Paul

OOPS I forgot I will recieve my Visa by Post..
If my INTERVIEW was ON TIME @10.00am,
I would have had it in Hand that day.. ffs.
But main thing is that it has been APPROVED,
and will get it by Wednesday by the latest.

Cheers

Paul

CONGRATULATIONS PAUL AND CHERYL!!!!!

So happy for you folks its wonderful news!!!!!

Jeeze you had to wait a long time though! Are you feeling the relief yet? Isn't it the most brilliant feeling.


Now where is tamzo???? Hope everything is ok.