flossiefus

Hi all downunders. Just checking in to say got here safe, everything is wonderfull and we are both so happy.

Gonna post a question on the K1 thread about timing and getting married. We were thinking of tieing the knot 2 weeks before the 90 days is up, but now we worry a little cause in case we need that paper work done a bit sooner. I guess it just says be married by 90 days, not to have the paper work done by then. Any thoughts here???

Cheers all and lifes great ain't it!!!!

Stella.

Congrats Stella, it is wonderful to finally be here with your love isnt it?

We didnt get married until 2 weeks before the 90 days, apparently it isnt necessary to file before the I94 expires, it just pays to get the SSN well before then as I think you need at least 14 days left on the I94. Also some people (the bank in my case) have no knowledge of the visa and just see it as expired so the sooner you have the NOA for AOS the better.

Its a lot to plan in a short time, I still wish we could have had the 9 months like the Aussie fiance visa, but there ya go!

My 1st marriage at 19 lasted less than a year, but it took 5 years to get divorced. I was then married for 29 years with 4 adult children when I realised I was so unhappy I had to change my life. I never intended to marry again...

Now see what love can do, I feel so different now I am with my soul mate

Wog boy are you telling us that you made it back!!!

No.

I am planning a return though.

If you are in Australia and want a good way to call rellies nationwide for a fixed amount, you could use koalatelecom voip

it works for me

snip

Just feeling we are being skipped over as others were getting approved

Thanks

I am still waiting for my greencard, guess some are just luckier than others

Does anyone have any updates from CSC????

MEMBER NAME --- DO---TRANSFER DATE--NOA DATE--BIOMETRICS DATES----what happened next

KTICKNER767---------MIAMI--------07/XX/05-----06/13/05-----06/24/05---11/11/05 APPROVED!!

NINA C---------------MEMPHIS------08/20/05-----01/21/05-----02/04/05---10/22/05 RFE – 12/19/05 APPROVED!!

SVFD631 ------------CHARLOTTE---08/20/05-----04/08/05-----05/21/05---11/28/05 RFE---01/17/06 APPROVED!!

DEBORAHENCUBA--SANTA ANA----08/22/05-----02/10/05-----05/15/05

GALYASTORPEDO-----WA DC-------08/22/05-----04/08/05-----05/07/05---10/21/05 APPROVED!!

MICHAELP-------------CHICAGO----08/22/05------04/25/05----06/03/05---10/28/05 RFE---01/19/06 APPROVED!!

FVA --------------------DENVER-----08/22/05------05/31/05----07/07/05---10/20/05 APPROVED!!

FSW92677---------LOS ANGELES---08/23/05------05/09/05----06/10/05---11/07/05 APPROVED!!

ANASTASIA ---------PHOENIX-------08/24/05------06/02/05----07/05/05---10/27/05 RFE—01/28/06 DENIED

STEFFI ---------------ATLANTA------08/25/05-----10/23/03-----11/29/03, 09/06/05 ---10/14/05 RFE---11/10/05 APPROVED!!

UK_GEEZER ---------ATLANTA-------08/25/05----08/30/04-----11/04/04

TRAVELER747 ------CHARLOTTE-----08/25/05----03/30/05-----04/14/05---12/23/05 RFE---02/10/06 APPROVED!!

YIMNYJEEPERS------HARTFORFD----08/25/05---------------------------------10/22/05 APPROVED!!

JEFFM ---------------ATLANTA--------08/26/05----01/09/04-----03/06/04, 07/22/05---11/13/05 RFE---03/28/06 APPROVED!! kicking.gif

GKSYD1--------------ST LOUIS-------08/26/05----03/17/05-----03/29/05---10/20/05 APPROVED!!

MAHAL --------------CHARLOTTE-----08/30/05----05/31/05-----07/13/05---10/27/05 APPROVED!!

RACHEL--------------CHICAGO-------08/30/05----07/05/05-----07/15/05---11/14/05 APPROVED!!

KPBC ----------------PHOENIX--------08/31/05----07/12/05-----08/03/05---12/21/05 APPROVED!!

MELCHET81 ---------CHICAGO-------08/31/05-----07/12/05----07/28/05---11/21/05 APPROVED!!

CA_BABE ----------LOS ANGELES----08/31/05-----07/14/05----08/03/05---12/02/05 APPROVED!!

MARK&JENNY -------HOUSTON-------08/31/05-----07/18/05----07/22/05---12/09/05 APPROVED!!

RRP --------------PHILADELPHIA-----08/31/05-----07/19/05----08/05/05---11/08/05 RFE---1/06/06 APPROVED!!

DOUGANDNANCY ---HARTFORD------09/01/05-----07/14/05-----07/23/05---12/07/05 APPROVED!!

MAGUILART ---------PORTLAND------09/01/05-----07/14/05-----07/21/05---12/03/05 APPROVED!!

NATALIEC ----------CINCINATTI------09/01/05-----07/15/05-----08/03/05---12/16/05 APPROVED!!

ANNELIZABETH -----INDIANA--------09/01/05-----07/18/05-----07/29/05----11/25/05 APPROVED!!

WILLIEMYERS—LOUISVILLE, KY------09/01/05-----07/23/05----08/04/05----01/05/06 APPROVED!!

BETTI29------------CHARLOTTE-------09/02/05-----01/10/05-----02/16/05---10/21/05 APPROVED!!

CASECHOPPER------NEWARK----------09/02/05-----03-07-05------------------10/20/05 APPROVED!!

ALEXPO-------------HARTFORD--------09/02/05-----03/29/05-----04/20/05---10/22/05 APPROVED!!

JO1973--------------CHARLOTTE-------09/03/05----05/10/05-------------------10/20/05 APPROVED!!

DIANELEE-----------ATLANTA----------09/05/05-----02/28/05------------------11/07/05 APPROVED!!

MELISSA_KBL-------PHOENIX----------09/07/05-----03/24/05----04/05/05---10/21/05 APPROVED!!

CORNGIRL ----------NEW JERSEY?-----09/08/05-----03/21/05----04/19/05

BASIL----------------LAS VEGAS--------09/08/05-----03/05/05----03/30/05---10/26/05 APPROVED!!

NINOTCHKA ---------WA DC------------09/09/05-----02/25/05-----03/29/05

METTA--------------CHARLOTTE--------09/09/05-----02/??/05-----XX/XX/XX---11/08/05 APPROVED!!

ANGELSWEETFACE—JACKSONVILLE---09/09/05-----06/13/05-----07/27/05---11/09/05 APPROVED!!

POOKER--------------NASHVILLE-------09/12/05------02/07/04----------------------

MISTERSCN------WASHINGTON--------09/19/05------08/25/04----10/07/04—10/19/05 RFE—11/10/05 APPROVED!!

MICIUS--------------ATLANTA-----------09/19/05------12/27/04----02/17/05---04/19/06 APPROVED!! kicking.gif

GANDAGIRL505 ----SACRAMENTO-----09/19/05-------06/03/05----06/09/05---11/08/05 APPROVED!!

XTIN ------------------GREER-----------09/19/05-------03/14/05----04/13/05---11/19/05 RFE---02/16/06 APPROVED!!

GUAPITOYGUAPITA--CHARLOTTE------09/19/05-------04/05/05----04/08/05—11/15/05 APPROVED!!

EAU_XPLAIN---------CHARLOTTE------09/19/05-------04/08/05- ---05/26/05---11/17/05 APPROVED!!

LUNA ----------------COLUMBUS-------09/19/05-------04/09/05-----06/02/05---11/08/05 APPROVED!!

RASPBERRYSWIRL ----ST PAUL--------09/19/05-------04/09/05-----04/23/05---11/17/05 RFE–12/24/05 APPROVED!!

SPORTGUY -------------NEWARK-------09/19/05-------04/21/05-----06/08/05

KAJIKIT------------------MIAMI---------09/19/05-------04/25/05-----06/10/05, 09/14/05---12/02/05 RFE---1/19/06 APPROVED!!

JUTSDA -----------------INDIANA-------09/19/05------04/2005-------04/13/05---11/05/05 RFE---12/12/05 APPROVED!!

GWYNN54--------------BALTIMORE-----09/19/05------05/06/05------06/07/05---11/25/05 APPROVED!!

WAMEC-----------------MIAMI-----------09/19/08------05/27/05------07/01/05---11/30/05 RFE---02/02/06 APPROVED!!

JCL1500 ---------------NEW JERSEY----09/19/05------05/30/05-------07/06/05---11/26/05 APPROVED!!

SUPERSONIC ----------NEWARK--------09/19/05------06/09/05-------07/26/05---12/03/05 RFE---03/04/06 APPROVED!! kicking.gif

GATORUBIO -----------NEW YORK------09/20/05------01/16/04-------03/04/04---01/02/05 RFE---01/31/06 APPROVED!!

PINKABOO -------------ATLANTA--------09/20/05------01/21/04-------03/04/04, 07/05—12/20/05 APPROVED!!

KARENINA108----------ATLANTA--------09/20/05------05/03/04-------10/14/05--05/30/06 APPROVED!!

HAPPY6059-------------ATLANTA--------09/20/05------08/23/04-------10/12/04--11/08/05 APPROVED!!

GEMMA12NEL ----------NEWARK--------09/20/05------09/08/04-------09/30/04---11/08/05 APPROVED!!

YASSIRA ----------------NEW YORK-----09/20/05------09/28/04-------10/15/04 ---12/16/05 APPROVED!!

NOEMIJ -----------------WA, DC---------09/20/05------10/06/04-------11/23/04---12/17/05 RFE---02/28/06 APPROVED!!

MJPYRO----------------ATLANTA --------09/20/05------10/14/04-------12/02/04—12/02/05 APPROVED!!

MONOBELLO------------MIAMI-----------09/20/05------10/29/04-------02/23/05---01/05/06 APPROVED!!

MAWILSON ---------- --NEW YORK------09/20/05------12/20/04-------01/26/05---12/23/05 RFE---01/26/06 APPROVED!!

HOPEFUL ---------------NEW YORK------09/20/05------03/31/05-------05/19/05---12/16/05 RFE---1/18/06 APPROVED!!

TONYMASIELLO--------BOSTON----------09/20/05-----04/02/05--------06/07/05---11/28/05 RFE – 12/19/05 APPROVED!!

VMORREALE -----------KANSAS CITY----09/20/05------06/09/05-------07/20/05---11/24/05 APPROVED!!

ANGELUS71------------NEW YORK-------09/20/05------10/10/03-------10/11/05---12/28/05 APPROVED!!

RICH&MARTINA-------CHICAGO----------09/21/05------11/30/04-------12/16/04------10/24/05 RFE 12/02/05 APPROVED!!

TORYSLAW ------------HARTFORD--------09/21/05------03/21/05-------04/22/05---11/30/05 RFE---1/19/06 APPROVED!!

ALNROSA --------------ATLANTA----------09/21/05------04/02/05-------04/18/05---12/16/05 APPROVED!!

DNKELLY1977--------NEW ORLEANS -----09/21/05------05/09/05--------------------12/19/05 APPROVED!!

PHARMLISA------------WEST PALM--------09/26/05------11/01/04------11/04/04---11/28/05 RFE—12/27 APPROVED!!

COOLTURESHAK ------NEWARK-----------09/27/05-------12/15/04-----12/04, 9/28/05—12/10/05 RFE—4/20/06 RFE—05/20/06 APPROVED!! kicking.gif

NOLA-----------------NEW ORLEANS------09/27/05-------03/15/05-----05/??/05---11/30/05 APPROVED!!

GABBYGIRLNC--------CHARLOTTE--------09/27/05-------03/23/05-----04/29/05---11/21/05 APPROVED!!

DREAMLAKE---------------?----------------09/27/05-------04/02/05-----05/25/05

NEDURAK------------------?----------------09/28/05-------05/24/05-----XX/XX/XX---11/14/05 APPROVED!!

CUTENURSE300-------BOSTON------------09/??/05--------04/??/04-----05/??/04---11/26/05 RFE---01/03/06 APPROVED!!

KATHRYN41-------------ATLANTA----------10/01/05-------07/23/04-----02/08/06---05/26/06 APPROVED!! kicking.gif

QNBOSTON--------------???----------------10/01/05-----LATE APRIL 05--------------12/21/05 APPROVED!!

ACHAUHAN--------PHILADELPHIA---------10/05/05-------03/01/05------05/11/05---12/03/05 APPROVED!!!

RS330------------------NEW YORK---------10/11/05-------08/04/05------10/07/05---12/17/05 APPROVED!!

GRAHAM----------------NEW YORK--------10/12/05--------01/13/05-----03/12/05---12/21/05 RFE---01/31/06 APPROVED!!

MARKNIR---------------ATLANTA----------10/13/05--------03/02/05-------03/05/05---12/24/05 RFE---1/19/06 APPROVED!!

DNALERI (son)--------MISSOURI---------10/21/05--------09/09/05-------10/15/05---01/06/06 RFE---02/03/06 APPROVED!!

DNALERI (wife)-------MISSOURI---------10/21/05--------09/09/05-------11/29/05-----01/06/06 APPROVED!!

COUILLE_MOLLE------NEW YORK--------10/24/05--------09/09/02------06/21/05---05/20/04 AOS INTERVIEW, PENDING BACKGROUND CHECK---04/19/09 APPROVED!! kicking.gif

GORDIEJO-------------NEW YORK--------10/26/05--------08/01/05------09/27/05

SCORPIOGIRL86-------TACOMA----------10/28/05--------06/27/05------07/18/05

MOONLITE-------------MILWAUKEE-------11/03/05-------07/27/05------01/04/06---01/28/06 APPROVED!!

RICHARDS-------------ATLANTA----------11/08/05-------06/15/05------07/15/05---02/01/06 APPROVED!!

SARA535--------------FRESNO, CA-------11/08/05-------06/02/05------06/18/05

KENK3Z----------------DC-----------------11/08/08-------07/04/05------10/05/05---01/19/06 APPROVED!!

MIJKIJ-----------------DC------------------11/09/05-------07/??/05------09/??/05---01/18/06 APPROVED!!

PETER&DANA--------ATLANTA------------11/09/05-------07/05/05------07/09/05---02/07/06 APPROVED!!

WAITING_HONEY8382--CALIFORNIA----12/01/05-------07/12/05------10/25/05---1/20/05 RFE---03/03/06 APPROVED!! kicking.gif

KEARINNE-------------PORTLAND---------12/15/05-------10/11/05-----11/22/05---01/11/06 APPROVED!!

VALFREITAS----------CALIFORNIA--------12/15/05-------09/19/05-----11/28/05---01/27/06 APPROVED!!

BRYAND01--------LOUISVILLE, KY--------12/15/05-------07/29/05-----11/17/05---02/2106 APPROVED!!

LINDA&DAVE----------PHILLY-------------12/16/05-------08/09/05-----12/01/05

MOONLIGHT---------CALIFORNIA--------01/03/06--------11/25/05-----12/15/05---01/23/06 APPROVED!!

BABONSI ----------- SACRAMENTO----- 01/04/06--------10/31/05------12/22/05--01/24/06 RFE 02/14/06 APPROVED!!

NAUTILUS-----------MAUI, HI------------01/11/06--------09/03/05-----12/29/05---01/26/06 APPROVED!!

DIANEJASON----------MIAMI-------------01/16/06--------07/19/05-----01/04/06-----02/22/06 APPROVED!!

JASMAN0717-------SANTA ANA, CA-----01/17/06--------09/23/05-----11/04/05-----02/23/06 APPROVED!!

SAMSBS-----------CALIFORNIA-----------02/02/06--------12/14/05-----01/20/16-----02/22/06 APPROVED!!

KARIMKABANI--------??------------------02/09/06--------07/25/05-----01/31/06

CHOCOLATERIE-----PHOENIX, AZ-------02/23/06--------11/22/05-----02/10/06

PETER---------------ATLANTA,GA ------ 02/24/06--------11/03/05-----02/08/06-----04/08/06 APPROVED!! kicking.gif

EDANDYING--------CHICAGO, IL-------02/24/06--------12/21/05-----02/09/06-----04/07/06 APPROVED!! kicking.gif

NICK81--------------VIRGINIA-----------03/04/06--------12/23/05-----02/09/06

GOLFERADAM-----PHILADELPHIA-------03/07/06---------11/14/05-----02/28/06----06/17/06 APROVED!!

NEOLLA------------NEWARK-------------03/10/06---------01/18/06-----02/17/06-----03/28/06 APPROVED!! kicking.gif

KYLEERS---------PHOENIX, AZ---------04/10/06----------01/27/06-----02/21/06-----02/17/06 RFE

KANYIRI-----WASHINGTON, DC--------04/10/06----------02/28/06-----03/09/06---05/09/06 APPROVED!! kicking.gif

ASHISH-----SEATTLE-------------------05/02/06----------02/13/06-----04/06/06---05/20/06 APPROVED!! kicking.gif

VAMSI---------ATLANTA, GA------------05/03/06---------03/02/06-----04/11/06---06/06/06 APPROVED!!

LJ_99_99------NEW YORK---------------05/03/06---------03/10/06-----03/30/06

PMKROGER----SAN BERNARDINO-------05/08/06---------10/04/05-----NOT COMPLETED

BUBBLEGUM-----------MEMPHIS---------XX/XX/XX-------03/25/05-----04/01/05---11/07/05 APPROVED!!

PEDROH---------------CHARLOTTE-------XX/XX/XX-------XX/XX/XX----XX/XX/XX---10/14 RFE---11/25/05 APPROVED!!

sweetanne0705-----ATLANTA------05/23/2006-----12/22/2005------02/28/2006------RFE03/02/2006

KikiDoug --------Washington DC---5/23/2006------6/8/2006---------3/16/2006---------

flossiefus------------MIAMI---------05/27/06--------08/12/05--------05/02/06----------

jmk71171-----------NEWARK------05/30/06---------04/10/06--------04/24/06---------

jenn3539------------BOSTON-------06/06/06--------2/16/06----------3/15/06----------

Ms Squitto-----------NEW YORK-----06/08/06-------3/17/06----------4/5/06 -----------

flossiefus------------MIAMI---------05/27/06--------08/12/05--------05/02/06----------Approved 6/13/2006 but Biometrics for photo needed 6/23/2006 caused 2nd approval email dated 6/23/2006 and no green card yet

Hi, We sent in the AOS packet in August 2005, recently, after waiting many months I got an appointment and went for biometrics on May 2, 2006. Today (June 7) I received another appointment saying my fingerprints expired giving me another appointment,

Although I have the *welcome* letter, which says I was approved June 13 and to call if the card hasnt arrived in 3 weeks, today I attended the new Biometrics appointment (I went and gave fingerprints on the May 2) to be told I needed to have the photo taken, I was told the new directive is to no longer use the photos sent with the application. So after 'hunching down' to get in the frame for the pic, (I am very tall) I came home to check USCIS and sure enough it was touched today. So it will be interesting to see how long the card takes to reach me.

Good luck, where-ever you are in your journey

My eyes are blurry as I type; this is such an emotional thread. Parents, mums and dads are often misjudged, some people are not empathic, and relationships are all difficult, whether between adults or our own children!

I tried to raise my boys to be happy well-adjusted to grow to be healthy adults, to think and feel and make decisions for themselves. My children sometimes surprised me with their maturity and wisdom. Sometimes, I saw glimpses of life through their 4 pairs of eyes and I learnt life lessons from opening my eyes to the alternative ideas they had.

My 4 sons are so far away; I can’t wait to get my green card so I can go home and see them. Probably I just need to see for myself that they are all happy and continuing life as normal, and although it’s nice for them to miss me, (for me) I hope they are not really missing me too much. They know they can sms me and I will call them straight back, and I am online most of the time, (but of course, times zones interfere) but I do miss the day-to-day stuff.

The 2 eldest boys are now settled in their own families, and I probably hear from them just as much as if I was in the same country. The 3rd is at Uni and working so I have contact with him almost as much. The baby of the family (he’d kill me) is just about to turn 18. He came on a K2, but insisted on his right to return, and sadly I saw him off on the long flight, wishing he'd have enjoyed it here enough to stay. I think he missed everything about home too much, and since we will want to retire there to live in about 6 years, I m not sure what country he'd have wanted to be in, then. So as someone before said, perhaps things happen for a reason. All I know is he proved USA isn’t always the most desirable country to live in for every person.

Luckily, even though my sons don’t completely understand they do support my decision to be happy and that means being with the love of my life.

I hope you can all find the inner happiness that you deserve and that your children realize what wonderful parents you are, and maybe some of these posts need to be printed and kept for them to read, because when they are mature they will appreciate, all the more, the deliberation and anguish that you have gone through to make the right decisions for you and your family.

Congratulations, and the packing up will all be worthwhile.

I agree with you, it does seem a shame that everyone has to fly interstate and then try to negotiate Sydney, work out where you have to go and exactly where the building and entrance is, I think the website would be great and pictures and an explanation of where you have to go would help any Aussies in the future.

I was so far out of my comfort zone, when my visa was delayed I considered hightailing it back 'home', til I realised my home was gone until I got to the other side but then I guess thats all part and parcel of this journey of ups and downs.

I had the same problem so pushed the button to say i didnt have the receipt and got through to a live person,(not a very helpful one) but I hope it works for you

Maybe its your turn for the welcome letter, mine arrived today!

Hi

I was watching Miami and thinking it must be getting close to my turn for an interview notice, but just got transferred to CSC instead, but yes, it sounds like your AOS interview. Well done, and good luck, things seem to have really caught up here in Sth Florida.

Sorry to hear about the circumstances of your finding out about your parents.

There were only a few interview experiences for Miami that I could find, so let us know how it went, wont you?

Best wishes

If you have a modem in your PC you may be able to fax from it. I had never done it til yesterday, but set it up and the recipient got the fax. I googled and was able to follow the directions ok.

Hope it helps

Further to the biometric appointment arriving yesterday as i noted in another thread, I called the number on the letter to find out why i needed another fingerprints taken but really couldnt get a satisfactory answer.

Now, today I just received an email stating a welcome letter was sent. I hope that it's the one I am waiting for..

and in the state of origin 'The Mighty Marones' made a game of it beating the cockroaches, so the decider should be a doozy!

Congrats Stella, I bet that visa looks pretty to you, as for the xray, i put mine in the outside pocket of my checked baggage but was never asked for it, just the yellow envelope was needed at POE

so, another long flight for you, soon?

Have a good trip

Question??? Do you have to have that x-ray for the immigration people at POE or can you just have it in your other luggage.

Stella.

Hi, We sent in the AOS packet in August 2005, recently, after waiting many months I got an appointment and went for biometrics on May 2, 2006. Today I received another appointment saying my fingerprints expired giving me another appointment,

really!

I have tried to call the different numbers on the Appointment letter, but after waiting an age and pressing all the bleeping buttons, when I put in the required 10 digit application number and it cut me off. I tried twice and now have given up until tomorrow...

Seems like I will be waiting another couple of weeks.... so frustrated

Oi Oi Oi, soccer isnt my favourite game, but great to see the result

and then...

congrats to all of u who have recently been for interviews, and good luck to those still waiting

hi, we submitted out AOS last August 12, and apart from the NOA didnt hear again until April for a Biometrics appointment at the start of May. As I didnt submit EAD or AP, I just waited, then finally in May I was emailed that my case was transferred to CSC. so... it seems anything is possible..

Did you get an online account so you can check?

Please could you add me to the list

MEMBER NAME --- DO---TRANSFER DATE--NOA DATE--BIOMETRICS DATES----what happened next

flossiefus-----------Miami--------05/27/06-----08/12/05-----05/02/06---

After my biometrics were done on May 4 I had almost given up of getting any email, as I was expecting an interview appointment for Miami, but today I got 3 emails saying:

"On May 25, 2006, we transferred your I485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or to Adjust Status to an office in CALIFORNIA SERVICE CENTER for processing. Our office in CALIFORNIA SERVICE CENTER will send you a written decision as soon as processing is complete. You should receive a notice informing you that your case has been transferred to a local office. Please call the National Customer Service Center at (800) 375-5283 to receive information about local office processing times."

So I guess I join the list too and wait and see what happens next.

Voting in Australian Elections

The Consulate-General provides postal voting facilities for Federal and many State elections. For further information, election results, enrolment and postal voting forms, please visit the Australian Electoral Commission website at www.aec.gov.au.

Australian citizens residing overseas for an extended period of time are not necessarily eligible to vote, even if they were registered when they left Australia. To check eligibility criteria and to find out about registering as an "Eligible Overseas Voter" read the Australia Electoral Commission's special enrollment provisions. Registering as an overseas voter does not mean you will automatically be notified of upcoming elections or sent ballots.

I often also get helpful info from ozinamerica a yahoo group

cheers

Yes you can vote while you are overseas, I enrolled online and sent the required paperwork back. It isnt compulsory to vote though.... I will see if I can dig up the URL

Thanks for the heads up Angela

Its got me wondering with the voting though. Can aussies living overseas still vote if they want to? I think I remember reading somewhere on a gov site that these kinda things are important for later as far as pensions go. Dont quote me on that though lol

congrats on the work permit

Oh weird I thought that after 3 months oversea's you can't get a pension anymore...but I might be wrong. I think you can vote you just enroll as living abroad I know someone in london who told me once they still voted but that was ages ago. I think from memory they forms where sent to her.

Michelle, I have no idea how you must be feeling right now, I just cant imagine. Perhaps loss, perhaps overwhelming sadness, maybe anger, probably a little of all of those and many more.

I just hope you can take some time to look after yourself, you feel how you feel, those feelings will change.. all you can do right now is accept that you have to be the one to look after you!

Cyber hugs and just know I am very sad for you right now, I hope you have better news for us soon.

Soon as my greencard arrives we are going to plan our trip back to Australia, which will be a 'meet the rellies' and a recce to decide which area we may decide to retire to, in a few years. Does the SO need a visa or is visa waiver ok for a trip? and is there a site such as this for the permanent return, i can see he will need a spouse visa, but Id like to know any hints from friendly people who have done it!

This site has been a fabulous help and support, even if i have mostly lurked

When I was waiting for my interview in Sydney the Americal Consul gave 1 USC a hard time for being there with his SO. She virtually told him he was an idiot for not marrying her while he was in Oz and applying there and then!

Sad, after all he thought he was being supportive, and Id have loved mine to be able to take the time off and take a 30 hour trip, one way, just to get to be with me.

Guess its different depending where you are coming from!

like many others who have added to this great thread, i just have to give my thoughts. I dont think jumping into marriage from any relationship is very sensible. I hadn't intended to marry anyone, whether face-to-face or the internet, and at my age was quite surprised at the positive support I received from family and friends when i announced my decision. I was dismayed by the USA visa situation, and would have much prefered the Australian way either to be partners without marriage or at the least the Fiance Visa that allows nine months to be together before the visa expires.

We had 3 weeks togther as a holiday with no strings, just the intention to have the best time touring Florida and during that time started to realise we wanted to be together and then after much discussion making the huge decision that we would have to apply to USCIS to be together because of my hubby's medical treatment and will apply to return to Australia in the future. So I handed over most of my belongings to my sons, resigned from my job to join him last april. and that was OUR huge leap of faith.

We had faith in our ability to know that if we didnt take this opportunity we would always question what we had missed. My grandmother once told me when it happened that I would know - she was right!

Our time on the internet between the holiday and my return was hours and hours and I felt we were very connected, however... the real connection came before we had any ideas of ever being together. We really got to know one another well, just as friends. The fact we had known one another before either of our marriages had ended but werent aware at that time of the turmoil the others lives were in, became obvious later. Then after I was seperated the job I had allowed me to be online at different hours (our time zones are particularly hard, being 14 hours apart) and our friendship was strong and only gradually did it become obvious that there was more to this.

Sorry about the length, its hard to explain in fewer words, that its about having faith in yourself and knowing what you want and taking the risk of being hurt, for the joy outweighs the risk of never knowing