Hi Emerald

See purplesneakers post #196

I am also presently enquiring through that company as it seems the cheapest. I guess it depends where you are in Oz too.

i used oss. www.ossworldwidemovers.com.au and they were great. all up including insurance it was about $1600 for 18 items including boxes, lawn mower, whipper snipper, tool box and fishing rods.

they pack for you and deliver to your door. the only extra expense could be customs fees if your belongings are inspected but mine weren't so i couldn't tell you how much that would be.

hope this helps.

matt

hi ya all

not heard anything back yet from Sydney yet...being very patient here.

went for my medical and police check on Wed.
i went into the city with plenty of time to spare an lucky i did too he had moved 2 weeks prior an didnt let me know!!!! although it was just around the corner it was another 10min walk but i arrived in time...i had to wait for the Dr for 15mins annoyed the hell outta me but i was nice about it..medical went well he said i was in good health except for my shoulder...was expecting an inspection of the lower region but i look it in my stride...went for x-ray's and the dr office told me it was 65 and the receptionist said no its been 75 dollars for a long time...(all week i knew there were gunna be surprises but just didnt know what so i found the out)
police check was done before my appointment cos i rocked up half an hour earlier ...so all in all i had a good day off work but damm my feet were aching with all the walking i was doing around town...

I have bursitus in my shoulder and am going to the specialist on the 20th april to see if i need the op...in my passport pic i gave to the Dr you can see the difference in both my shoulders i was astounded when i noticed that..
anyways i better get moving or i wont make it to work
see ya's
take care
kath

Morning everyone <yawn>

So things are good here. Stewart had exactly two hours from deplaning to departure in LA...that's two hours to get through customs, immigration, recheck bags, leave international terminal, get on shuttle bus to domestic, get through security, and get to the gate.

We knew it would be close...but...HE MADE IT He arrived in Florida at 11:17 pm last night and is now tucked in my bed at home sleeping. I've never been so happy. It's still rather surreal that he is here FOR GOOD. No more good byes, no more countdowns, just he and I together, forever. It's a nice feeling.

AND I found out his parents are coming to visit in August which I know makes him happy, and makes me happy because I have AWESOME in-laws.

Anyway just a quick update for my Aussie friends

kath,

glad to hear about the medical and police check...i wonder why the doctor's office didn't notify anyone that they had changed address? sorry about the shoulder, hopefully something can be done about it before you come over here.

caroline,

it's a good feeling isn't it? i know how stewart would be feeling as well...enjoy your first weekend knowing that you don't have to be apart again.

matt

hi karo
congrats on everything going smoothly and that your together at last...not long before i know how u are feeling...havent heard anything as yet was hoping for friday but nothing in the mail..

matt
well i mentioned it to the receptionist that i wasnt informed an she didnt reply that ohh i rang several times so i am assuming they didnt inform patients..i got a thank you from sydney to letting them know in an email...the shoulder will be fine im sure just scaring me a tad at the moment never had surgery before..
well its saturday morning here an we have had rain in melb....been about a month since we have had any i led awake last night listening to it was really nice to hear...
take care
hopefully next time i do a post it will to inform ya's i have an interview date lol
later
kath

Aah Karo, so nice. Can't wait till I'm your Scott , tucked up in Andrews bed, getting over the flight and smiling inside.

Interesting too the LA airport 2 hour thingy, cutting it fine but great.

Yeah, know nothing about Bursitis. Sounds painful though.

One question from me. I lived in Sweeden for nearly 9 months, 1990 till 1991. Do you think it is too early for me to get my Police Check from them or should I wait till I get those packets after approval???

Stella.

hi ya stella

why dont you enquire how long a sweeden police check is valid for and how long it would take for one to be sent to you...i know the australian one is valid for 12 months along with the medical...maybe get them at the same time that way you dont have to worry about one ending before the other...it takes roughly two weeks to receive your australian one stella...
it is painful but i have been a good girl an not taken any drugs for it..lol i use my wheat bag if it gets too painful an that seems to help greatly..

take care
kath

they took away my internet at work.... boooohooooo.....

Not much new to report. Scott finally has his ss... after actually having to go to the SS office and apply for it. He never got into the system even though we ticked the stupid box... UUGGHHH..

Other than that... sleeping, puking and working have been my motto!! And Scott got a job and starts next week. Life is good!!!

Take care everyone!!
Mellie

Yeah, your right I should wait and do it together. I have emailed the Swedish Police , it takes about the same, two weeks I think.

Stella.

AUUUUUUUGGGHHHHH!!

I say that a lot on here......

One week til 'da interview'. Seriously crappin my undies here.

I'm a teapot, I'm a teapot.... (what can I say, it relaxes me)

Mellie,

Hopefully the morning sickness will pass soon. I cant say I ever experienced it but it has to be awful. Great news about Scotts getting a job so soon....WOOHOO Congrats Scott


Kaffy,

You are gonna do just fine. Let me know the date and time and I will see if I can get in there. All depends on my schedule but would love to come in if I can. I met up with wolvendove (angela) and her hubby yesterday and also Mellie and Scott. Sadly I missed Karo's and Chicky's husbands interviews so didnt catch up with them

tip: take a spare pair of undies just in case

Ooooh fun! How were they?? She seems so nice!

Mellie I can't beleive Scott got a job so quickly - what is he doing? Stewart starts applying this week.

Kaffy - you'll be brilliant no worries.

hi ya all

well low an behold i get a letter from sydney....not the letter i really wanted but i got one...

sydney has not replied to our letter of extension to have our interview in june but given me a packet 4 letter stating my interview date is 11th april...
i have emailed them stating what we had sent to them an our request so there ya have it...and attached the letter of extension from robbie

so now i got robbie worrying if he dont get all this support stuff to me if they insist on me having the interview on tuesday if he will get it to me in time...

so we are in a pickle to what to do.. im so disappointed that this has happened...why on earth have they not taken any notice of our extension letter an given me a damm interview date that i didnt want in the first place...
maybe i should auction it off at ebay see what i get for it ...lol
robbie was so wanting to share this part of the journey with me as all the other achievements and hurray'ssss we were apart like most of us on this journey...
well will wait an see if i get a damm reply from them
by the way is there anyway i can call these idiots an sort this out .. i remember trying before i left for the states last time and all i got was a recoreded message...any ideas would be gratefully suggested on the phoning side of things...
an dont worry too much on us we will be fine got this far with no trouble which we were thankful for...
take care
sighhhhhhhhhhh
kath

Kath,

geee you get the date I really wanted...

Anyways, have you tried faxing them? You can also email them, as Mike did and actually got a reply from them pretty quick, this is the address he used:

sydneyiv@state.gov

Hope you get somewhere with it.

i emailed them twice tonight mate

Well hopefully you will get an answer in the morning, Mike got one the next working day, when he emailed them on the weekend.

Kath, There is a number for the embassy, you can find it on their site. But it does cost some. Last time I rang and just spoke for a few minutes it cost $25. Yeah but they are pretty quick at answering emails too.
I hope this is the place you mean I have copied down below. I think you call the Sydney number.

U.S.Information Resource Center Canberra
National Press Club Building
16 National Circuit
Barton, ACT 2600

Hours: 10AM to 12:30PM and 1:30PM to 4:30PM
Please call ahead as the IRC may be closed for a program.

Tel: (02) 6214-5874 (then press 4)
Fax: (02) 6273-2297
Email: info@usembassy-australia.state.gov


U.S. Information Resource Center Sydney
American Consulate General
Level 59, MLC Centre
19-29 Martin Place
Sydney, NSW 2000

Tel: (02) 9373-9228
Fax: (02) 9221-0551
Email: usissyd@uunet.com.au


Note: Please do not send visa questions to the IRC mailboxes.
Visa questions should be directed to AMVISA@state.gov

thanks .. will give them a ring tomorrow..
might end up having the day off too...not a happy chappy..

take care
kath

*sigh* FINALLY got some answers. After missing the first day since my Husband had problems 'being awake' on his day off, the second day, didn't fare good either.

Again, slept late, but I was on his butt about it and made sure he called them. So he called the 1800 National visa customer service number.

He wrangled out of them something about the Affidavit of support and that it could possibly be filled in by someone OTHER then the spouse/sponsor. Like, the visa sponsor and Affidavit sponser can be 2 seperate people. Does that sound correct?

I'm still unsure about it, but when he wanted to find out information about the I-130 and what Texas had done with it, he was put on hold for over an hour before he hung up, at 6:15 pm. They close at 6.

*sigh*

Okay, cue to next day. He says he'll wake up really early and get all the information. Okay great. I call at *his time* 2pm. No-one. 3pm, no go. 6pm. ARGH, still no-one. So I ring at 9pm. I get his brother. He went out with friends. grarkfhjkahdfjkashdjkahjkdash It's a good thing he's on the other side of the world at this point

But in the end, victory! They have it, they have the money, they just forgot to send out the NOA1. yay for heart attacks...

HAHAHAHAHAHA dont ya just luv men well not all men....oh you know what I mean lol
Glad you finally got the info you were after


Well guys.......I got it........CASE COMPLETE at NVC Now I just gotta figure how to see whats what on that DHL site

Lorelle - wonderful news Yay!!!!!

As for men - yeah without us they'd be lost. We went to the SS office to see if Stewart even needed a new card - long story - anyway as we're walking in I go, "YOu know what to say, right?"

"oh yes"

We walk in and the lady goes, "How can we help you.." to whcih stewart gave a blank stare...

haha lucky I was there!

congrats to you lorelle ... so what happens now ..are you waiting for your paperwork to get to sydney are you...?

I havent heard a word from sydney yet..rang left a message no reply..sent fax telling um i cant make the interview..damm i hope i hear something from them today .. im pretty stressed about it all at the moment..but never mind patients will help lol

take care
kath

hi ya all

well after a very stressful day at work..customers everywhere i was about to say stuff this im going home ...but i stuck it out till knock off time an went home..

got home went online an low an behold an email from sydney advising us that our application has been extended to 14th august and they have set an interview date has been given for the 16th of june..

i was so excited forward the email to robbie who was waiting for me to sign into msn but i just had to ring him...

dialed the number like 3 times each time i got the pin number wrong...then i finally said to myself come on concentrate lol.. an i got through ..robbie sounded as excited as me ...was such a relief from the stress of the week ..it flew out the window as soon as i read the email...

so now my darling hubby can come to my interview with me an see a bit of sydney an see where my daughter lives .. i havent even seen it either so we are all excited about it.. will tell the family tomorrow when we go shopping..my sis wasn't impressed that i have to go up to sydney but i agree...if all the states have an embassey why make you spend airfares money to attend an interview ...

arrh well thats government departments for you..
so we are back on track once again an happy with the end result
take care all
smiling big time tonight
kath
ps thanks for all ya help too this week ...

Aww Kath that is AWESOME

I am so happy for you and Rob! Congrats!

hi karo
thanks mate...im still smiling here and can relax again...

glad all worked out with you and stewart an that your a happy together couple again must be an awesome feeling for that to happen...cant wait to experience it myself..

my canadian mate is planning my bachalorette party...im in big trouble lol..im so looking forward to seeing all my mates again...and im so relieved that robbie is coming out to get me cos i dont think i could do this without him (leaving family an friends at the airport alone im talking about) im such a sook when it comes to goodbyes...

well you two take care
kath

That's GREAT Kath!! I would of so loved it if Mike had of been able to go through this interview process with me.

I am quietly, well not so quietly, freakin out here at the mo. My daughter and I leave tomorrow for the infamous interview in Sydney on Monday!!

I feel like there is so much responsibility put on the non-usc, to prove everything and validate it, it sure do suck big time. Ah well, wish me luck!!

Lorelle, that is also fantastic news for you guys, bet you are champing at the bit now!!! Would love to meet up with you at the embassy, our appointment is for 8am, no idea when we will get out of there...

Great to hear all the good news about, yippee for you all.

Stella.

Lorelle wow thats fantastic news all the best for the interview


Kath & Rob Way to go mate thats great news that you got your interview changed

not long now and you will both be back together

angela

Oh wow.......how did i forget that your interview was tomorrow I am not going to be able to make it in there as I have something else on that I cant get out of. I would so loved to of caught up with you. All the very best for the interview.......MOJO MOJO MOJO. Will be looking for your successful post

Lorele

seems like everyone is getting great news!! good luck to you all that are having interviews in the coming weeks and congrats to you all that have had some positive news in regards to your petitions.

matt

hi matt
thanks mate...how are things going with you..any job offers yet?

take care
kath

Cathy (Kaffykat) was Approved in Sydney today!!!!!

FANTASTIC NEWS...CONGRATS TO THE BOTH OF YOU...

WHAT DATE ARE YOU PLANNING THE LONG TRIP BACK TO THE STATES...

KNEW THERE WOULDNT BE ANY PROBS..HAPPY FOR YOU REALLY AM

TAKE CARE
KATH

Oh boy!

congratulations kaffy.

kath,

i start at the driving range this morning...it's casual so i can get a full time job. also, i'm seeing someone this arvo about a job and someone else tomorrow morning. both aren't what i want to do but at this stage it's a job.

matt

WOW that is so awesome Kaffy!!!!

Australia is just full of good news these days!!

Keep the good news coming guys

Matt - CONGRATS on the job - any job is a job! Stewart applied last week and hasn't heard anything. My aunt's carpenter is going to hire him on in the meantime. he's not excited about it, but at least he's earning money!

Hope it matriculates into something good! You seem to enjoy golf so that 's a start!! Working there can only improve your game!

KAFFY

WAY TO GO CONGRATULATIONS

ANGELA

YAYYYYYYYYYYYYY Kaffy CONGRATULATIONS WOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOO Well done.

TA DAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!

I is back in Brissie!! Gawd, note to myself, NEVA take the train to Sydney from Brisbane, EVA EVA AGAIN!!

The best part about the whole trip, was the interview, we had so much fun!!!! The people there were so very nice!!! The guy that did the final interview, what a dill, I think we totally freaked out all the people that were waiting for their interviews because we were laughing so much.

What really broke the ice, was my 13 yo's inability to remember which was her right hand, she held it up then thought about it and started putting her left hand up, then shook her head and put her right hand back up, to which both the CO and I started cacking ourselves laughing, and that set the theme for the whole interview.

Then he started frowning at the original paperwork that Mike did which stated how we originally met. Which was on The Sims Online Game and asked me how we met, to which I embarassingly replied "we met in a game" and then he asked and in which game was that?? So I told him, I also told him that Mike and I had made a pact way back then that we had to keep in perspective that the chances of us ever meeting were nil, and now look where we are!! Sheeesh......

Then he spotted the photos.... "Oooooh goody!!" he says "photos!!" and then proceeded to have a good ol gawk at them, makin out like he was sizing me up, the turd.... But we already knew we had the visa cause he asked if my daughter had ever left the country to which I said she had never been on a plane and he said "well she is about to go on a really long one". That was not long after the hand incident, bout 5 minutes into it... Anyways, talking to my baby now after being apart for two days, which was torture for both of us, will put up a reveiw later on today.

Thanks for your congrats everyone, wish you all luck in your visa journey!!!

That's awesome! I wonder if you had the same guy we did? Chris I think his name was?!?! He was so nice!! He must have the best (or worst job) depending on how you look at it.

That's so wonderful Kaffy. When do you leave for the states? Is your daughter excited?



That's funny. Stewart and I had the SAME conversation five years ago. We were like..yeah we like eachother but the chance of us being together are SLIM TO NONE! We laugh now!! I bet that every AUssie American couple has had that conversation though! 14 hour plane rides are no fun!

Hiya Karo, well you ask when? When you ask? I just booked the tickets today for the, drum roll please, 22nd May....

LESS THAN 6 WEEKS TIL WE ARE IN EACH OTHERS ARMS AGAIN!!!

And is my daughter excited?? SHE'S EXCITED!! To coin that famous phrase from Big Kev!!

wow i got my biometrics appointment letter today it is on the 26 april that was alot quicker than i thought

all us aussies are having loads of good vibes going our way, Caroline and Stewart back together, Mat geting a job, Kaffys approval, Lorelles approval and Kath & RObs interview date

angela

Am I pushing my luck? Stewart applied for a job as a pharmacy technician at a GREAT hospital here. They just called him back and left a message - PLEASE send mojo that it's not only a call back for an interview - but also a JOB OFFER

hi ya all

mojo mojo mojo mojo to all having fantastic news...

good luck angel aussie

and stewart give um the ole aussie charm ya will win um mate...

ohh by the way question...if an interview is on a friday .. do we have to wait till monday to go collect the passport and paperwork??? not seen anyone with a friday interview i dont think...
ta
take care .. and good luck to all
kath

We had a Friday interview. Yes, we had to wait til Monday. YOu have to wait until the next business day. They give you a sheet of paper that says you can get it between 3 - 3:30 or something like that. At that time the consulate shuts down and ONLY does visa pick ups. Stewart said it took no time at all...

but yeah one full business day...Monday

Kath

Karo is right i had a Friday interview and i had to go back Monday, thats why i had it posted out to me save the expense of waiting around in sydney.


angela

hi ya
yeah both right sydney emailed me back tellin me the same thing...that really sux..so will be staying at my daughters then catching the plane home ...i cant take the chance of it arriving late to us because we plan to leave the following weekend... of the 25th..damm spewin too cos i was going to take robbie to a footy match an there are no matches in sydney that weekend either damm it...all good plans go astray hehehe
thanks
take care
kath

Okay so I am an organisation freak, looks like Mike has caught on to this and we work so well together. Here is what we have organised in the last few months....

We have managed to get everything, bar one thing, our bridesmaids' & flowergirl's shoes, which we will get once we are together again. We have booked the reception room, wedding celebrant, got the food all organised, music, outfits and invitations, we have even got our honeymoon organised.... There are also some guests coming to our wedding from Aussie land, so they have gone out and got their tickets since finding out we got our final approval...

Yesterday I bought our tickets to get us to the US on the 22nd May. We have planned our wedding for the 30th June. Enough time for me and the girls to make the decorations, which we already have everything for, and the food, which we have already worked out the menu for, of course we got party aussie meat pies included, and lamingtons, pavlova, sauso rolls might even throw in some anzac biccies. All the crockery, cutlery, tablecloths and cups and even petals and candles for the tables, are sitting at Mike's place as well, even got some aussie & US flag toothpicks to put in em. I love ebay.....

So you think we are ready???