I like that saying about the rainbow Katrina

You know, all this talk of food is making me hungry. I complained about not having salad when I was in the US so a couple of days later Tony came home and said "I'm taking you out for salad". We went out and low and behold, we found ourselves in the greatest salad bar known to man. Well, known to me anyway. Oh how I enjoyed green things that day. And Chili.... I think it might have been Applebee's but maybe not. I can't really remember the name.

I'm trying to tip the scales back in favour of healthy food in America a little... so I won't mention that Tony also got a chocolate brownie LOL.

rofl jezz
my sweetie always looks at me funny when i say... "oh i'll just have a salad"..... i think aussies are the green eaters on this side of the hemisphere!!

and thankyou girlfrmoz!

Oh..Oh I think you are so right Sharyna! My hubby thinks I am weird cause I say that I just want salad or some vegies...he is trying to stop me writing this lmao!

He is telling me to write how nice he is....lol

i'm going to miss my salads....

All this talk about food is making me laugh. I'm reading the emails as they come in my inbox but have nicked an slight opportunity to sneak in here.

I've had that biscuit/scone conversation with J also. The meal of biscuits and gravy sounds like dog food too, albeit yummy dogfood lol.. I've just gone vegie again and am lactose intolerant also.. those Americans are gonna love me! hehe..

I was salad queen once upon a time as our chicken n chip shops sell the best salads; pasta salad, potato salad, egg salad, crabmeat salad, chicken salad, greek salad, garden salad, ceasar salad, chicken ceasar, octopus salad, bean salad, chickpea salad, prawn salad, bougal salad...mmmmm..... Now, especially with winter coming on I like nothing better for tea than fresh roasted vegies drisled in olive oil and spices....mmmmm or fat aussie chips with aoli, sweet chili and/or mayo mmmmmmm...... they are definitely my weakness...

after reading all that.... i'm hungry.

Lol.. speaking of food; J and I went to a little mexican restaurant just down the street, it was gorgeous, I wasn't hungry so I watched J chow down on tacos while I drank Sangria and frozen margaritas....ole'... Am really looking forward to getting back to Arizona now as we're gonna do group trip down to Mexico....mmm....Sangria here I come....

Holy Food Network Batman!

Pillsbury dough boys to Papa Gino's to Chili's to Home Depot. Boy, did I miss a few days.

Kath, I was surprised too the first time I unwrapped those Pillsbury dough cans. That pop caught me off guard lol. I love the flaky biscuit one. SOOOO GOOD.

Sausage, Biscuits, and Gravy!!!! The evil food I ate during my past business trips to Virginia. That dish alone caused me to gain 15 pounds in a 6 week period! I just couldn't stop eating it. It looked scary and sloppy but it tasted SOOOO good.

Paul, drive down and have a proper New York thin crust pizza! Or even better, go with the wifey to the North End in Boston and have some good Italian food.

Rings, I feel your pain. I had to say bye to my wifey earlier this month. It was hard as usual but knowing that I had already purchased my next ticket as well as seeing some movement on our CR-1 application has made things easier. Just like Kath said, your future has been set. It's only a matter of time.

Elle, you're right about the Maryland crabs. I am not a seafood person but lots of my friends go down to those crabfests during the summer/fall. I'll be down there sometime in July I think. Should be fun.

Hope everyone else is doing well.

Mmmmm crabs... I can't wait! What season is crab season? Do crabs have seasons?

Can you get butternut squash all year round?

I was approved and I can't believe it!

I called my fiance a few minutes ago to share the good news

So it's on it's way to the NVC at the moment... anyone know some steps I could take (as far as the affidavit of support and interview material goes) to have things ready to send off to him?

whooo hooo for ya valky...havent seen ya in ages ..glad you shared your excitement with us here..

what kind of info ya want mate...there is heaps of info you gotta get together in this thread..

here is a few for ya to start off with

affidavit of support filled out and signed I-134
bank letter of your accounts
at least a months worth of pay stubs
letter from your employer stating when you started there and if your full time or part time and your hourly rate or yearly income.
your tax transcripts of either the past 3 years or a year...along with your W2's...

K1 guidelines ..
take a look at the above link..scroll down to what to send to your finance...

packet 3 will be sent to your fiance after sydney receives your application...all the forms and what he has to do is in that packet...
fiance is to get national police check and medical...prior to the interview..and to take to the inerview

congrats to you and yours...you'll be soon together again..

take care
kath

congrats!!!

Congrats Valky!

Hey guys!


Kath , all the best for your interview !! I am hoping to score a job at Walmart...I have worked at Big W in clothing and cosmetics for the past 11 years, so hopefully that will help me out a bit!

Congats Valky..may the rest of the journey go quick enough for you!


Hope everyone is doing great!!! (only a week till my interview)

Kell...

Ou spritis are low everyone who has sent in a petition around the same time as us has already seen an approval. I am starting to get nervous

CONGRATS VALKYRIE!!!





Hang in there Rings. Mine was recently transferred to the CSC and I am still waiting. I am getting anxious too...TRUST ME. However, the way I am looking at it is...the more that get approved, the greater the chance of getting to our applications and processing it!

Rings.. It will be Fine reckon your approval by end of the month

Here's Praying for yours to be approved sooooooooon

Cheers
Paul

I know I haven't been on much Kath - been working 3 jobs and taking a class on top of that, so life's been more than a bit insane lately! I'm hoping to get on here more thing though! Thanks for the help I'm definitely going to start getting everything gathered and put together so I can send it to him. We've got plenty of time to send in the return on packet 3 once he gets it - I'm going over to Oz for a visit and engagement party in July, so we're shooting for an interview date while I'm there

Thanks everyone for your congratulations! It's exciting since we're able to look at a possible wedding date now

Best of luck on your approval, Rings! It looks like you were recently touched, so here's hoping that's a good sign!

Also: Aussie chips are fantastic, as is the calimari Couldn't get enough of either and I used to hate calimari, lol.

hi valky
omg you are a busy person are you surviving it..that is a mad schedule mate...you lucky duck going to oz in july...i must be getting itchy to go home for a hol..lol...where in oz you going to..

also if he receives the packet 3 before you get to oz why dont you as the US citz request that you want an interview while you are over there...robbie did that and explained that he would like to be there for moral support for me at the interview ..we also had to get an extension for our application cos it would of expired but thats another story lol

did you add yourself and your finace to our map ... just click the link in my signature...

hey there trist
how you doing ...guess what i use to work at big w for 7 years...at the sunshine store in victoria #380 i have sent you a message too about my experience of getting a job over here n some websites for department stores...

if anyone hasnt added themselves to the map go for it..i havent checked it in awhile so gunna go look now

talk to ya soon
kath

Hi Valky! Congrats on the approval..! We just got approved recently but are still waiting on hearing that it's been received by NVC it's been about a week so far; would be good to hear how yours goes in that regard... Your showing me up with all those jobs lol.. I've been working about 50hour weeks lately but it has been the same job...ha..still, it's good to help forget that you're waiting....

Hang in there Rings, ours goes to show it doesn't matter if you're approved there's still heaps of waiting to do....

Hey Valkyrie...CONGRATULATIONS!!!! That's wonderful news...not long now until you are reunited!! YAY!!!!

How's everyone else going?

Not long until your interview Kath....you will get the job!! Hope it's me next I am so sick of doing job applications. Had an interview at Robert Half Technology this afternoon...nothing exciting though..they are an employment agency.

Hey Rings I really hope you hear something soon! Thinking of you!

Hey Valkyrie WOOOOOHOOOO Congrats on your Approval..

Best of luck with your Interview Kath.. OI OI OI

Rings as I said before.. you will get yours by the end of May 07 Relax


I hope you are next inline Lyndel as I am in the Line behind you!!
I gotta get a Job.. I need a Job.. I need A CAR..

I need to get my Licence.. I need
Have a Interview to sign up with A Job Agency here in Massachusetts
Tomorrow (Wednesday @ 6.30pm)..
Only time Cheryl can Drive me down there, And they are open till 7pm.
They have called me like 3 times for me to go in and fill out their paperwork.
Fingers Crossed they find me a job within walking distance ( 3-5 Miles from Home).

Hope all is well with everyone and ya'all feeling the Love

Cheers

Paul

Good luck on the job search Hammy?? I guess you are not feeling a vacation?

Australians in America: How did you move your funds to America?

Awww..Hammy, thank you I wish you the same. One of us has to get a job soon!!! Fingers, knees, toes and arms crossed!

Hey Moonie, when I was saving money prior to moving here to the USA I used what they call in Australia a Swift Transfer to transfer money over. Basically it's arranging for my bank to transfer funds from my bank account directly into Jake's bank account. There was a small cost involved but it was definitely a safe way to do things. I have done a few of them now. I just sent a fax (because they needed my signature) to my bank saying what I wanted to do, how much in USD or AUD and Jake's account details, address of the bank, his address and a "Swift Code" which is sometimes called a Routing Number which you will need to get from your bank in the USA. It takes about 3 days for the money to arrive in your USA account. Hope that helps.

australians to america....

superannuation funds... since you cant get this money out until you reach the age of yadda yada..... does anyone know of a international super fund that can be accessed from the US?

Yeah, I was wondering that as well.



GO THE BLUES!!!!

Moonie - you know what Stewart did? He withdrew, using his ATM card, the maximum amount per day that he could for like a week (he didn't have THAT much)...that way there was no fee...

It was easy Might be the most recommended way to do it but it worked for us

Wow Seren! That is brave...it's crazy, because at some points in your post it sounded a little like me.I am also 22, my bf is nearly 25...in the past we have also both felt as if we're too young to go through with such a huge, life-changing decision. A marriage is a big deal, it's something that cannot be taken lightly. We have had many doubts in the past, but last yr I came to live with him for 9 mths, so that was some sort of trial..atleast that's the way I see it in retrospect. If you feel like you have been held back in a sense from going out etc etc..then your decision is a wise one.No-one but yourself can tell you if your decision was right...but stay true to yuorself..and I believe if there is a will there is a way...you will find a way to be together somehow.We looked into work/student visas for me a few yrs ago- and nothing came through.We both know we want to marry eachother...and 3 mths..is a bit too soon...but we are going with the flow in that regard.I really admire you...if you need to chat more..pls msg me..and I am more than happy to listen/help!

On another note...ahhh not having a job is driving me crazy!!!Went to the SS office today-said my SSN will be sent to me in 2 wks or less.Just wish I could work!!!

Hope everyone is doing well and adjusting and settling in nicely.

Kath-sorry this is so delayed, I am currently located in Northern California..I am better now, my cold lasted only a few days...prob due to all the zinc,vitamin C and echinacea vitamins I took!!
Oh..and the solution the all the great and fatty junk food here- working out everyday!!! haha

Thanks everyone for your support. We are trying hard to be positive, and in my head I know that we need to be patient and our petition will be processed. I'm sure I'm not telling any of you anything new when I say it's difficult to maintain that patience though. I want to sincerely congratulate everyone who has had recent approval - it's hard not to wonder when ours will be done every time we see a new approval but that shouldn't take anything away from your happiness or from our happiness for you, and we are genuinely excited for everyone making progress in this journey we're all undertaking.

Leaving my love to return to Australia was so hard and I guess that contributes a lot to our mood as well, although again we're trying to remain positive and look at it as another step towards our future together. On the upside, Colorado is a beautiful place and I had a wonderful time there. I can't wait to begin my new life with the mountains greeting me each day (although I wish I could take a beach or two with me haha) and the people I met there seem like great people.

Thanks again to all of you here, I'm not sure how we would cope without the support and stories and useful advice from other people who are or have been in the same situation, it's comforting to know there's a place we can go when we need a friendly ear or a word of encouragement. You people rock.

hi there tamzo
great to hear your doing well now...how do you like nth carolina..my friend is in raleigh at the moment...

when is your wedding going to be...

hi loke and rings

well thats what were here for ... to support one another and maybe put a smile on someones face when they need it..if you have patience through this process and can tuff the wait out together you will be right together when it happens...fingers crossed for your announcement of approval to be soon guys ...keep smiling...

hey there girlfromoz
how you doing ...good to hear that your with an agency hope you get something good luck to ya chookie...i know what you mean about not caring about how much you will be getting paid that is how im feeling..its the fact your getting the opportunity of getting out of the place huh and meeting and mixing with the natives hehehe (no offense to our yanky friends in here) will give ya a ring when we get back from hocking hills..were going camping for 4 days...

hi hammy
good luck with the job hunting...now ya know why i was going crazy lol is there a good bus service where you are living...here it really sux i have caught the bus once and that was last week ...

looking forward to hearing some more approval posts and interview reviews from you lot...we got some coming up soon too..the 30th rings a bell..

take care
kath

Hang in there Rings and Loke! NOA2 will come really soon!

Have you guys started organising your stuff you need for the interview? That could be something to do to take your mind off the waiting.

I think we all know what you're going through, with the post-visit moods and everything! We've all been there. Most days are good but some days... I just want my baby . But I'm comforted to know that even though its not right now, it WILL happen some time in the future. Same as for you guys. Only a matter of waiting it out.

Come on that NOA2!

Hello Everyone....

Hi Kath...long time no talk.

Have been reading up on how everyones doing everyday..and im so glad to hear everyone is moving along.. and even for those who are at a stand still, just remember back when it all first started and how long ago that was..you all have come so far.

I on the other hand have been pretty down the past few days..it feels as tho i'll never get to see Ron....He's been trying to save up money and i have been trying to sell some things on ebay..arrrg that seem to be going nowhere how frustrating...it just never seems like its going to happen everything is at a stand still till we meet.

I went on a job interview yesterday that had the potential to help our situation tremendously but didnt get...ive been a lil bummed ever since...Our rain storm seems as tho its never gonna end ...I'm trying to not think so much about it and am trying to keep my chin up.....I still get to hear his voice everday and that soothes the soul (for the moment) but giving a big-smack-a-roo on those lips would be great right now....

Anyways everyone keep their smiles on..as i will try and do the same...Remember we all have someone we love and who loves us back.. and that should keep all of our hearts company in the mean time....

thanks guys *hugs*

Hey Hampster!

Goodluck with getting a job...boy..I feel ya...I need a job, a car...ahhhhhhh...It's a horrible feeling being so dependant on someone else again!!! How are you getting a job?Did you get a temp EAD stamp??? Goodluck with everything!!!

Hey there Kath! (guardian angel! haha) How are you doing? I am actually in Northern CALIFORNIA...Not Carolina haha..settling in...but finding it hard to meet ppl my age and establish a group of friends.I know that I only recently arrived..but when I was here last yr for 9 mths..I found it very hard to meet ppl my age.(I am 22)...Wedding date: we're thinking of mid-end of July...we would do it sooner, but my boy has alot on his plate at the moment...he has 2 job interviews in NYC next week and a lot of business travel coming up...yay..I'll be home alone:( sucks..I think that's when the homesickness kicks in.Oh well..I knw things only get easier.Hope you're all doing well! xox

hey Tamzo,

Well interview at Job Agency went well,
they said they will call me today.. but no calls as yet.. only 12.40pm here Thursday..
Wifee will be quizzing me on the Road Rules of Massachusetts
Some time this week or this long weekend for Memorial Day..
Want to go for my Permit next week sometime depends on Wifee's Work Schedule..
All I got was A STAMP AND DATE ON MY CR1 VISA FOR AOS IN MAY 09.
GOT MY SSN# IN THE MAIL 7 DAYS AFTER I APPLIED FOR IT IN PERSON AT LOCAL OFFICE.
Hoping you and everyone else in our "boat" can soon gain Employment and a licence
to Drive in this Country.. lot of the driving i have seen reminds me of Melbourne
and some of Sydney Driving lol Left ahnd lane to turn right.. and so on..
And not having any sort of Any Particular Public Transportation in Particular
Part Of Massachusetts is mind boggling considering the size of the place
and how many people don't drive or won't drive because Gas Prices are going through the roof.
But enuff of my nagging I am just glad to be here with my Lovely Wifee Cheryl

Hope everyone is Happy and still going strong.
And to the ones that are awaiting Notification.. soon Grasshopper Soon
When you can snatch the pebble out of my Hand Grasshopper,
That is when you will be ready to face the world
And when 2 BECOME 1 ...UNITED AGAIN IN ENDLESS LOVE...

Cheers

Paul

AMEN to that! I'm sure it's a bit difficult to get used to the new environment where things are literally flipped! Make sure to practice in Boston, land of the one way streets (in the same direction!) You won't have any problems there because there are rarely any two-way streets haha.



Hammy, I am getting anxious now that the CSC has it. I am keeping my fingers crossed that I will get an NOA2 within the next few weeks. These touches are really teasing me. Once it makes it to NVC I can have the wifey schedule her Police check and doctor's appt (I think).

HAHAHAHA good one



Won't be long now!

the NVC emailed me last night - in response to my query... they have our petition....
now if only the police would do the same nice thing and tell me they dont have someone in custody every time i call them to get my check and fingerprints done....
my blood tests are done.... thats over.

just need this check and then whatever the consulate throws at me....

I told him that. I was like just use your ATM card. I also told him that I could add him to my account or he can just use cash. It isnt like he will get here and be paying bills.

Hi Sharyna

What a pain in the arse with the police.....Any news on what your case number is? Who did you email and should we do the same for confirmation? We have tried calling a couple of times but the automated system says there's no record of our petition yet. Will try again this afternoon.

Oh that sucks, same as what happened to me! Did you ask them if they book appointments at all, maybe on the weekend? Mine did bookings on Sunday and thats what I ended up doing.

oh yeah they gave us our new NVC case number... i didnt post that lol....

***
NVCInquiry@state.gov ---> email addy

give them:
case # from uscis -
petitioner's name
petitioner's date of birth
benificiary's name
benificiary's date of birth
approval date of NOA2 - I GAVE THEM a approx date as the uscis website was updated the same date my fiance recievd the letter in his hands....

**am calling the police again today - to see if i can get it done.. its a daily job that one lol....

hope that helps.. and they took about 3 days to reply...

Thank you so much....you are wonderful..!

Hehe thanks. I just realized they were an Australian band too!

Now hurry up USCIS and hook a brotha up!!!!

hi ya all

well i went for my interview this morning..went well wont find out till after the long weekend if i get a second interview but all in all i reckon it went well...was like talking to an old friend instead of the interviews i remember ..well i havent been for one in 8 or so years so it might of changed ..lol..i also went into Walgreens to finish an application because each time i tried to complete it just wouldnt ...so i did that and was very interesting so thats in now.. probably too late now to get anything but i will try again..so if you are having problems with applications online and you know where a store is go in especially if its a big store they usually have an in store application store computer just ask for the manager of the store...

for those that have just arrived ....are you having any trouble getting use to the coinage over here...i just cant get my head around it sometimes...why on earth did they name their money lol the problem with me is robert used the card more than cash..and i dont go spending money lol...god help me if they give me a register operator position lol..

now a hint for all that is coming over here...within the time i have been applying for applications and not received anything back ... i changed my email address to one that contains my name..so i went from goldendragoness (which is a chatroom nick) to k_w.....107 at hotmail...since i have done that i have been receiving at least emails to say that they have looked at my resume or i havent been selected...on all the job websites i go on i have changed my email address..i dont know if it helps any but to me it looks like it does lol..also keep the new email address only for job applications and job websites referrals to jobs ...and one more thing.. keep a note book for all your passwords and accounts of any website you join in the job hunting process....

oohhh ohhh im a happy little vegemite today all my aussie products arrived today..robbie ordered me 4 cans of international roast coffee 2 pavlova magic mix...and 2 packets of tim tams... im in heaven i tell ya.. i said to robbie who would of thought i would be so happy to get coffee lol...and ohhhhhhhhhhhhh tim tams i cant wait to open a packet there in the freezer at the moment cooling off from there long journey from california lol...whoo hooo whistles the happy little vegemite song...lol i know im nuts but im a happy nut lol..
hope all is well with the rest of you lot and fingers crossed for all those waiting for approvals to be happening soon..
take care
kath

Kath good luck with the job interview I hope it works out for you!
And enjoy your Australian treats! I need to do a search again of that website that seren posted that had the australian goods here in America and book mark it. It may come in handy.

mmmmmmmm, Tim Tams!!! I hope that everything goes well Kath!


Just a quick question...probably a stupid one, but on the DS-156 q18 where it asks for spouse's full name, do I leave it blank cause me and Kev aren't married yet??? As I said, stupid question!!!!

Take care guys!

Hi tris!

On q. 17 you click the box for "Single (Never Married)", or another one if it applies to you.
On q. 18 you write "NONE"

Hint: Anywhere where there isn't an applicable answer, instead of leaving it blank write "NONE" like in q. 14 for National Identification Number you will write "NONE". Why don't you have a look at the example forms on this website if you need some guidance.

happy to help

Thanks Jezz! I have applied NONE to the questions, and I wasn't quite sure about that one!

Also ( I am starting to ask stupid questions) with the 3kg envelope, do I need to put the stamps on it myself, or do they do that?

I am starting to panic since it's only like 3 days till my interview!