Niphredil

Patricia: We're in the same boat, but got set back. My husband has been living with his 'rents for a while because of his cancer and just to get back on his feet. Last week though, he was in a car accident and the car got totaled (He only had it a year and it was a 96 dodge neon, good little car, but any accident would have totaled it). He's fine, just another bump to the head (seriously, this is the 3rd head accident he's had and he's fine x.X), but, no car :\

The day we were going to start looking at apartments, was spent looking at cars :\ but we got a new one on Friday (new = used, but it's nice!), so back again behind the eight ball. Might help if I was settling in nicely, but his brother seems determined to make my stay as miserable as possible. Just got to love the hypocrisy of a strict southern baptist family who allow stealing (he went into my room and ate half a pack of cookies I bought), but saying 'damn' is just horrible (I'm Australian! Where do you think sailors got their colourful language from? x.X)

I only got my Social on Friday as well, so haven't really looked at jobs, but like Kelli, it'll probably be Walmart too I just have very little experience (Only job I did was working for my mum's craft shop, and we didn't even have a till , I suppose this is one part where 'ignorant foreigner' will work. Love my friends, but I wish they'd stop asking me if we have cars and houses)

As it is Christmas in Australia, this is my nifty present:

I GOT MY GREENCARD TODAY yays

Now to hope my SSN isn't lost in the christmas mail x.X

MERRY CHRISTMAS ALL

By the way, they only used one passort pic for the front of the medical form. Any other idea what the other 2 pics were supposed to be for!?

When you get the medical forms back, you will need to make 2 copies, attach the pics to those

Hey all

My computer died just over a week ago so I haven't been able to update. Trip was alright, and no dramas at immigration As I found out, I did good going with AirNZ, as the Terminal Qantas goes through had about 4-5 planes all come in at the same time. ouch. Now just to wait for the paperwork

But.. she never named the bear Mohammad, the kids did. "We need to pick another name kiddies. Whilst you may want to name the teddy bear after our great prophet, and hug him and love him for all his cuddly worth and feel protected in his fuzzy arms, it's not worth me going to jail. How about Osama?"

Actually, before we continue, is there an actual difference between Mohammad and Muhammed? I'm seeing 2 seperate spellings and am now wondering if the confusion is in that.

The 2 that stick in my head predominantly are 'Love, Actually' (Bad Christmas songs, you can't go wrong ) and 'Small One'.

I'm not one for 'grand religious movies', but Small One is just so cute and adorable and isn't really a 'religious' movie till the end anyway. Not sure if anyone has heard of it, but it's the story of the donkey that Mary rides, well, his life BEFORE she comes along

wait.. maybe Varicella is chicken pox o.O....

"pertussis (anyonw know what the hell this is?!),"

Thats Chicken Pox

A panel doctor has to verify it, but anyone can administer it. IF you are unsure as to what you've had done, a blood test can tell you what you have. Go to your local doctor and ask them to write out an order or whatever for the above shots , get your blood tested, and in a week or so, you'll know, then either get them, or get your doctor to print out a list of all the stuff you have and sign and date it.

If there is something you don't have and need, the Panel doc can do it for you.

As for the list, dunno if it's been changed, but when I had mine, they said all I needed was Chicken Pox, Tetanus and MMR.

*lightbulb* OOHHHh packet 3? Yeah, I didn't make an appointment till I got the Consulate Medical Forms and Doctors list that comes in packet 3. I got mine within the week, but I probably could have gotten it the following day if I lived anywhere near the docs.

6 months for the shots is correct. First one, then a month later, then 6 months. You could get the 'fast' one which is like first one, second one 1-2 weeks later, then last one 12 months later, but when I went for my interview, I had only had 2 shots and they never questioned it. They are totally okay with you getting the last one within America. Whether they check up on you or not I have no clue, but, it is a good idea to still get that last shot

As far as I know, you're talking about the actual shots, not the appointments correct? I noticed with my paperwork the Embassy seemed to sometimes organise medical appointments, but it was entirely up to me to organise it all (and it was NOT a problem in the slightest, then again, it was Brisbane... the biggest problem was finding the damn place ><)

Only other thing I can tell you to work on is to MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ALL THE PAPERWORK YOU NEED FOR THE AOS. If I hadn't checked over the paperwork again, I wouldn't have known to bring with me copies of my Joint Sponsorships citizenship, and I would have been delayed till I got them. Good Luck

North Queensland girl, moved to Brisbane for 3 years for a stint at animation school, but other then that, have always lived in a 'country outback' sort of town.

I'll be moving to... ARKANSAS! So it won't be the culture shock I'd be expecting if I was moving to say, New York or something. Only 2 difference I've noticed so far is whilst we're hotter, Arkansas is more humid, and a LOT colder *yet rarely snows*.

Right now, the thing I wish I could bring with me are my 2 girls - Lilah and Tilly, my English Staffy dogs Aside from the cost *and wait*, I think my 'rents won't mind holding onto them a little longer as they absolutely love them too, and the dogs help keep them sane I think lol

I agree with MarilynP on Firefly. Fox Execs can go get their ### chewed on by a Reaver for cancelling that show At least it got a movie I suppose, which was the LEAST they could have done *sigh*.

Oh! I almost forgot "Christmas is all around" by Billy "Bill Nighy" Mack from Love Actually, which is also one of my favourite christmas movies

Never been a fan of the 'traditional' ones, but that maybe because of the stores who seem to find the absolute WORSE versions of them, then put them on repeat all, day, long.

"Santa Baby" and "All I want for Christmas", atm, are my faves, plus the (although I don't like him x.X) Robbie Williams "Walk this Sleigh".

Kath: Heading over on the 8th of December right when Winter is nearing it's peak. Then again, it IS in Arkansas, where it barely snows *just gets frickin cold x.X* hehe.

We found a nifty Telstra offer. Basically, you pay $10 to be a part of it, and if you only make $10 worth of calls, thats all you pay. The thing is, it's 0.02 cents a minute! An hour costs $1.20! Thats if you use the 0011(whatever) number, not the 0018 one.

Don't know if they use Telstra, but if they do, get them to call and ask them about it. My phone bill went from 10 calls at $80+ *I talk too much * to 35+ calls and $15 (including the initial $10). It's kind of funny to see the bill, as every call is listed and most are 0.00, 0.00, 0.00 cost

Don't really want to promote Telstra (privatization wasn't a good thing to us x.X), but this is a pretty good deal. We also use Telecard. I can call America, cell phone to cell phone, for the same price as landline, as it gets routed through the home *australian* phone number.

The one thing I was worried about they never asked about, so I didn't upset the waters. The only hiccup I had, was that when I was called up for the second time, they said it looked good, except they needed the Joint Sponsorships evidence of US Citizenship, which I had.

I gave them a letter from my husban'd workplace earlier, showing he now makes more and thus doesn't need JS, but I guess since they had the paperwork, they just decided to just go ahead with it *Which, again, grr, NVC didn't want it, but now you guys do?*

Oh well, overall, a decent experience. I guess all I can say is just make sure you have your paperwork in order, take any and all proof that you can find, and CHIIIILLLL. That last bit needs to be taken more seriously imo

US consulate PS: Please make the ticket vending machine more, oh I dunno, NOTICABLE. SO many people walked right past it *including moi ^^;*. I mean, yes, a sign saying "PLEASE TAKE A TICKET" at eye level should be enough, but painting it bright neon pink and purple glittery stars will do wonders too

I have returneth... WITH VISA!

I can't help but feel really disappointed though. I suppose I got to such a heightened sense of anxiety and borderline OCD that finally getting to the consulate, and coming face to face with what I would class as the most boring and dull place that I have ever witnessed, that I crashed.

Granted, I don't go out of my way to find boring and dull rooms, but dear god, that was just... depressing. I was so high strung out I didn't even think to take in the view, even though I was there for 2.5 hours.

Even now, I still can't seem to settle down. I guess it's due to the lack of my passport, which was my only form of photo ID till I got an 18+ card *which I HAD to get to get my passport x.X*, and no physical visa.

They didn't even ask me any questions! Just took my fingerprints, asked me if everything in the ds-230part 2 was true (no raising my right hand or anything), signed it, then asked if I had trouble getting an appointment for my medical. Whats that got to do with the price of cheese in France? I dunno, maybe it was some sort of weird immigration lingo question to test to see if I was fair dinkum or something *shrugs*

I'm glad its mostly over now though...

Thanks for the additional info :-). By the way, I keep hearing everyone talking about pay stubs. Are they required for the interview? My hubby is military, so along with our transcripts, we sent a letter with the AOS confirming that he is currently employed by the militray. Do you think in his case the pay stubs would be required? Or were they just an additional measure if you thought it would help your case?

I... really have no idea o.O I would have guessed Military comes under a seperate header then civilian. I was never actually sent paystubs, but he had to send some in for his AOS. I have copies of them, but only because he sent me everything, and I'm paranoid.

If he didn't HAVE to send them in, and they still proceeded, I would assume it wasn't needed. If you can get some though, and take them with you to the interview, and it'll help your nerves, then I'd get some. If they don't ask for them, great, but if they do, you're prepared.

We didn't ask them about the Affidavit of Support exactly, but I did ask them about Joint Sponsorship, and they said that they have the JS paperwork, so if they have that, and whilst I hate this word, I ASSUME that they would then have the AOS from him.

If not, I do have a copy with an original signiture on it As is, I won't be needing JS anymore as he now makes more money, and I have a letter from his workplace that states so

From my understanding, with the AOS, I can't remember if its the signiture or the paystubs that have to be within 6 months. For me, the AOS is 2 days within the deadline *phew* and worse comes to worse, the letter is only a month old

Nipredil, expanding folders will be fine. They also don't mind those nice shopping bags. We had a lot of extra documents in a fancy shmancy shopping bag. One of the other folks seemed to have a nice huge expanding folder. No issues bringing those through. Just nothing that seems to enclose completely like a backpack.

Ahh phew thanks. I just had images of walking around Sydney with a crapload of paperwork, and losing everything to a gust of wind, or handing them in with footprints all over them and just generally looking, well, shabby :\

Stressed? Worried? ME? naaahhh My problem would be easied more if I lived in a town that at least had a doctor! Let alone a supermarket. Yay for Country Australia

I start my 'epic' journey tomorrow morning, 1 last day to pack and worry Thank again everyone

Quick question: They don't like backpacks being taken into the consulate, but I can't seem to find anything about expandable folders, and reading the reviews, it only mentions 'paperwork'.

It sounds nitpicky, but the last thing I want to do is get to the consulate and waste time dragging my paperwork out of my neatly organised folder, then hoping that I take enough paperwork up with me. As is, I've found a mistake (one in my DS-230 part 1 that looks like I spent a year+3 months in USA, and not just 3 months x.X put a 5 where it should have been a 4 x.X), so I'm taking my boarding passes and whatnot for ALL of my trips.

So... are folders doable? Or is it paper only?

and I was doing so well

My husband is a geek. An anime geek at that to boot. In the american circuit, he's known for several 'Anime Music Videos'... current pop music, mixed with japanese animation = what music videos should look like imo, and not half naked girls jiggling up and down on the spot in an attempt to 'dance'.

So, being the geek he is, he did an Music Video Proposal it backfired cause I knew what he was doing, as he worked on it after I arrived in the states, and not before *headdesk*.

It was under the guise of 'This is my next video I'm going to enter to a contest', but with a semi-failed "oy, <insert friend> drag her away from the mall so I can buy her a ring" and the general air of 'teehee, I'm doing something behind your back mwahaha' and with the arrival of a bunch of friends from around the state for a mini-con, I clued in quickly

It was quite funny actually. Whilst I figured I knew what was going on, I still didn't want to ruin his day, and who knows, he may still in fact NOT be asking me to marry him, and it may just be a 'happy anniversary' thing. He was thinking about that too, but didn't want to be killed either

Unfortunatly, when it came up on the screen, he didn't leave me enough time for me to do the whole 'shock, wasn't expecting this, pause, yes!' moment till it started playing again, and me being the polite young aussie girl, I waited till the end of the video before I said anything. Meanwhile, I KNOW he's sweating bullets mwahaha

No bigass lawn cut to say 'marry me' or a long hike up a mountain, but this way, I'll ALWAYS have my proposal

again, thanks That takes a HUGE weight off my mind.

I still am stressed about it though, how can one not? This is a HUGE moment in someone's life, and in the end, no matter how long you've known that person, how long you've been married, how much evidence you have, there is still that chance you could be denied, and have to go through the process again.

I'm so happy for you though grats again

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

That bit about the NVC paperwork helps a LOT! Thanks for the information wow, congrats again fantasic!