girlfrmoz

Ordered an Entree thinking it was an appertiser and realised it was a main meal?

Yes. The rest of the table looked at me as if I had just called the waitress a nasty name, "Is he freaking insane?" written on their faces in bold letters. Was in Denver, btw, at Café Berlin.

I hear you on that one....I got looked at like that girl is a real piggy!

Hey and you are living in Denver or were you just visiting?

Cheers to all the USCs going through the adjustment process with us immigrants!

I'm so thankful that my husband is so very understanding. I know my meltdowns and observations on life in the US sometimes upset him him but he still managed to hold me and tell me it'll all be ok.

~ Catherine

Amen to that!!! My hubby is also pretty good about understanding when I call American bread disgusting and I whine about wanting REAL chocolate, or big fat hot chips, not fries! ...but then we did some husband training when I got here eg, how to pack/unpack the dishwasher, not mix whites and colors in the laundry and hygene is not a girl up a tree! Ok...let me explain that...he's a tanker in the Army so they go out and get stinky for 3 weeks and come home dragging muddy ####### through the house and ponging it up!

We've been married 2yrs now and going strong...we have our moments, but the best fun is when we are trying to understand and translate the different sayings which for Aussies are many..... eg, how many of you have had the differences in biscuits, scones and crackers discussion? Ordered an Entree thinking it was an appertiser and realised it was a main meal?...... oh and don't start me on the Tomato Sauce and Ketchup discussion.

All I know is that the fun you have getting to know each other and understanding the cultural differences far out ways any of the issues....and hey, we bought a breadmaker so I don't have to eat the crappy bread!

Girlfrmoz

Hello Aussies!

Wow, I haven't been on here in forever.....

I've been in the USA now for about 2yrs and about to apply for 'lifting conditions' which reminded me to get on here and update my timeline, etc.

Hello to all the Newbies and others I haven't met before....how's it all going?

Anne, I get picked on all the time too, for my accent.....why do they confuse us with the British...I just say G'Day and that fixes them! Oh and Densusan, I say exactly the same thing....I don't have an accent, you do!

Isn't it funny....when you've been here a while you start to crave the foods that you only ate occassionally in Oz...like I am really craving twisties...cheetos just don't do it for me.

Lyndel

Hey All,

It's been ages since I've been on VJ. Wow, still see a few familiar names around. Wishing everyone luck with there visa journeys and speedy processing. Hang in there it's worth the wait!

Hi Kath and Aussie Angel.....how are things with you guys. Kath I have also got a major vegie patch happening here in Colorado...so much to learn about the short growing season here, but it's all fun.

Hubby's been really sick with a staph infection for the past few months, in and out of hospital so we are just taking it easy and enjoying life whilst he recovers. Went to see the Doobie Brothers in Denver and also The Cure at Red Rocks, was awesome.

Take care everyone

Girlfrmoz

Hi Folks and Newbies,

Sorry I haven’t been on here for ages! Wow there are so many new people that’s wonderful. Good luck all of you for a speedy and uneventful journey.

It’s hard to get on here these days as my husband mother has terminal cancer and we are doing lot of traveling to be with family and we also just bought a house. Also since I came on last I got my renewed EAD after my temp one ran out and what a drama that was. I didn’t get fired from my job like so many people say happens, even though it had run out. I spoke to immigration and they said as long as your paperwork is in for the 12mth EAD they tend to overlook that the temp one has run out. Hope that helps someone not worry as much as I did.

Hope to catch up with what everyone is doing and where you are all up to.

Cheers

Lyndel

Hey All,

How is everyone going with their journeys??.....I see Jezz you are getting close and I heard from Elle recently.

Sorry I haven't been around much. Will read up on all that's going on when I feel a bit better. We went to our wedding reception in San Fran and I picked up the Flu and had an allergic reaction to the antibiotics so have been in bed all last weekend. Jake's family was wonderful and so are his friends. His Mum is very unwell but we are hopeful.

We had a fantastic time, they put so much thought into our reception...they even had a big basket of Australian choccies.

We also got our AOS papers in and have received the first NOA and my biometrics appointment is in Denver on July 13.

Anyway, it's off to bed for me....need to rest.

Hope you are all well and happy. Kath and Hammy...hope your jobs are going well.

Cheers

Lyndel

CONGRATULATIONS VYLEX!!!! YAY...that's fantastic news!!!! bet you are over the moon with excitement!!! :dance:

Hey Elle, so sorry to hear about your doggy, your Mum must have been very sad....hey now though chin up girl...I know it's really hard to leave your family but you have come so far and all your hard work and committment to the visa journey. You'll get through it and you've got us anytime you need us! Ok! Sending you hugs... PS your posting made me teary so I cuddled my kitty kats...I love animals...they give us so much.

Hi Kath and Hammy, I've been flat out like a lizard drinking!! The job is awesome except that I don't have a laptop yet...should be here tomorrow or friday. My role is sort of analysis and one of the PM's for testing and release of some new IT services. The people are really nice and glad to have a goofy aussie on board to give them some comic relief. Plenty of overtime too which is good...need to catch up after being unemployed for awhile. The car is great too...had a near miss in the rain the other day...a guy tried to change lanes into me without signalling and I had nowhere to go.....scarey but built some confidence. It's scarey to drive but great to get your independence back!

Glad to hear your job is going well Hammy and Kath what is happening at Kmart, are you having fun yet?

Hope everyone else is doing ok and keeping positive! We have started on the AOS merry go round Yuck! Another waiting game.....

Hey Rings, thanks for your kind words...you're a gem!!

Was so scared from my little driving drama yesterday that I have been extra careful today and actually found it better without Jake in the car because I concentrate better. When he's with me we talk too much!

Forgot to say...Yesterday I scared the pants off myself and Jake, I turned left on the wrong side of the road YIKES!!....be careful folks it's easy to do when you've been driving on the left side for 20years. Thank god it was a fairly quiet road near the mall although that didn't stop someone yelling out at me "your on the wrong side D*ckhead"...very embarrassing! Nuff said lesson learnt!!!

It is finally hitting home that I am actually going, and even though I am excited, I am starting to get homesick already. I have been on the phone to dad crying about how I am going to miss it here, . Oh well!

How did you guys cope with the whole adjustment process, and missing everyone?

Hi Tritessa, Congrats on booking your tickets It's totally normal to feel the way you do....it's like being on an emotional roller coaster as you get closer to leaving home, it's an intense time so much to plan and saying goodbye to friends and family. I remember just getting tears sometimes out of the blue before I left...it's a big exciting, scarey move to make but once you get here and you are reunited it's worth it all. I still get homesick now but it's not as bad. Hang in there and go easy on yourself.

Hey Rings, that was a good idea to post the resume template. I found that the format for resumes is a bit different in the USA and it took me a while to find this out. A lot of people will benefit from this info.

Well we finally got our AOS and EAD forms done...mailing them off this morning..Yay!!!! I can understand why people ask so many questions about them...it's quite complex. It took me 8hrs in total to put it all together with evidence...yuck! We also bought a second car on Friday (Subaru Legacy) so I can drive to work cause Jake and I work at opposite ends of the city and public transport is pretty crappy here. I needed to establish credit so the car is in joint names. Getting nervous now about the first day tomorrow, but I am sure it will be fine.

HOLY GUACAMOLE those fees are steep!!!!!

Yeah need to gte 4 part time jobs to pay for the new fees ffs!!

Lyndel CONGRATULATIONS To you also on getting that Job @ Verizon woo hooo!!

Actually Cheryl and I are with Verizon FIOS INTERNET AND FAMILY PHONE PLAN THROUGH VERIZON.

CAN WE HAGGLE ON A PHONE DEAL FOR MOI

I NEED A PHONE LOL AND A GOOD FAMILY DEAL WHAT'S ON SPECIAL THIS MONTH HEHEHE.

Cheers

Paul

Hammy, Jake and I have a joint cell phone account with Cingular and it's really reasonable plus we can call each other anytime for free.

Moonie...WOW not long to go now. Wishing you a wonderful reunion with your sweetie!

HOLY GUACAMOLE those fees are steep!!!!!

Thanks folks for the well wishes on the Job.

Hey and WOW Congratulations Rings and Loke!!! :dance: You guys must be so relieved after that long wait! Wonderful News!!!

Who's next??

Hey Kath will give you a call later today...was out yesterday organising paperwork....don't we all love the paperwork!! Have you heard when you start work yet?

Yay!!! :dance:

Just got out of my interview and believe it or not they rang withing 15mins to say I got the job! How weird is that!

Anyway, I am now a Project Manager - Testing at Verizon.

So many great things are happening for everyone in here these days (me included) brings a smile to my face!

Start next Monday....lady of leisure this week!!!

Hi Jezz,

You also get an official receipt/letter at the time you apply for your SSN and you can use it until the SSN Card arrives eg, when you get a job. I used it for my Army spouse stuff until the card arrived.

Hey Moonie, at least you will be getting married in Summer, so the beach would be lovely. Jake and I just got married by ourselves, money was tight but it was still special especially his Walmart wedding ring that we got cause we are still waiting for his stolen wedding ring to be returned (the case is still going on in court).

Oh god my hubby is being sooky tonight it's making me laugh...he's such a goofy goof!

Cheers

Lyndel

Thanks Folks!!!

Hey Hammy, I don't know if I wished you Congrats on getting your job....so sorry if I haven't and CONGRATULATIONS!!! :dance:

I love it that things are starting to happen for all of us!!! YAY!!!!

Oh, Oh I just found out I have a job interview at Verizon on Monday morning.....YAY, FINALLY!!!!! Crossed fingers, toes, knees, legs and arms that I get it!!!!

Hi Jezz...I think it is my signature on the bottom of my posts that is confusing. I applied for the SSN after I got married. You need to wait about 2 weeks after you arrive in the USA before you are on the system for them to find you and match up your details. It took about a week from applying to receiving the SSN it in the mail.

Cheers

Lyndel

Hey girlfrmoz I have a question for you...

Did you wait until after you got married to go get your SSN?

On the flowchart on this site it shows going to get SSN, then getting married then going back to SS office to get name changed. It didn't make sense to me, why can't you wait till after you get married?

Also, do you have to go to the SS agency nearest your residence because we're thinking about going to one in CA.

Thanks!

Hey Jezz,

I will check my timeline maybe it's entered wrong....I waited and applied for my SSN straight after getting married because I didn't want to go through the pain of changing my name. I hyphenated my surname and added Jake's last name to mine so it was better to wait plus we needed to SSN with my new surname for me to get my Army spouse ID and medical insurance set up. The SSN card is handy for lots of things like setting up your bank account.

I went to my local office in Colorado Springs...i think you can just go to the nearest one to you, don't think it matters if you live there or not cause it's a straight forward process, I just needed my passport and Visa number, they send the card out to your residential address anyway.

Hope the helps....let me know if you have anymore questions.

Cheers

Lyndel

WOW KATH THAT"S ABSOLUTELY AWESOME NEWS!!!! CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR NEW JOB!! :dance:

Enjoy!! You deserve it!

PS. Got your voice msg...had a few dramas today so couldn't call you back. Will give you a call tomorrow.

Tritessa...Congratulations on getting your Visa approved...wonderful news!!!! Not long to go now and you will be reunited!! YAY!!!!!

Moonie, wow you haven't got long to go now either!!! Bet you're excited!!

Well....our news...Jake's Mum is sick so we are going to SF in a few weeks to visit her. She is having a wedding reception for us which is very sweet, she is a lovely person. I just wish I had some of my family and friends with me....anyway I guess I will get to wear my wedding dress after all so you lot will get some photos...finally.

Hey Kath, glad your interview went well. Good luck for the second one...can't believe it's such a long interview process. How was your weekend away with yr hubster? Hope you had a good time.

Tritessa...good luck for your interview, I think it was today, wasn't it. Please let us know how you went.

Hammy, thought you would like to know that Jake caught 7 trout yesterday up at 11 mile canyon...5 brown, 2 rainbow. I didn't go this time so I missed out ...I decided to beach myself on the couch with a packet of Cheese-its and the remote instead. I love cable! We have a new kitten so I wanted to stay home until he has settled in with our other older cat.

Well I am hoping for some movement on the job front this week. I had another interview this time at TekSystems on Thursday (not exciting really just another IT recruitment firm) something has to happen soon...jeeze!

On a brighter note I have met up with another Aussie VJ'er here in Colorado Springs so I am very happy. Nice to have some company. Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi!!!!

Hey Pris, so when are we meeting up for Chili's???

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.

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!

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

Good one Cheese! lol

Hi Sharyna, I didn't get everything the consulate doctor determines what's "age appropriate" for you. hope your police check goes through fast

Cheers

Lyndel