girlfrmoz

Hi Moonie, hang in there. I think you have gone through the worst of it now. It's tough doing the medical, police check and all the forms and then having to wait to see if it's ok. I remember it stressed me to the max. Just think, only the interview to go now. It gets easier once packet 3 is in. Sending you good vibes for a speedy approval!

Sorry, Tamzo and Moonie I meant both of you for the above comment jeeze and I haven't even had the anesthetic yet!

Kath, sorry to hear your Mum is sick. I hope she recovers well and quickly from the surgery. My stepfather gets skin cancers alot but not as big as that. He usually gets them iced off. I am sure your Mum will be fine.

Hi Moonie, hang in there. I think you have gone through the worst of it now. It's tough doing the medical, police check and all the forms and then having to wait to see if it's ok. I remember it stressed me to the max. Just think, only the interview to go now. It gets easier once packet 3 is in. Sending you good vibes for a speedy approval!

Well I think my car is sold...finally. A girl frm work looked at it last night and fell in love with it. She loves Hondas too so I am happy. Her boyfriend and a mechanic are coming to look at it tonight and if they are happy it will go to it's new home this week. It's weird I am happy and sad all at once....all part of this new life we are all working towards I guess.

Also I went to a specialist today and found out I have to have day surgery tomorrow...grrrr. It's so fast the Dr discovered a lump on my tongue that has to be removed....OUCH!!! The doctor thinks it is harmless but wants to remove it jsut in case. I just keep thinking OUCH! I am sure all will be ok and luckily they are putting me under so I won't know about it until it wears off...OUCH! Best part is I get a week off work, worst part is nothing but mashed food for 5 days! Lucky i don't have to talk on here or you will all be laughing at me when I come home talking funny! So I am warning you in advance that I will be under the influence of an anesthetic tomorrow so please forgive me if I post anything silly!

Congratulations....that is wonderful news!

I hope you have a wonderful wedding....I think we will be getting married there too but we are still trying to make a decision. You will have to let us know how it all goes for you!

Good luck!

Girlfrmoz

Elle, I hope you can get your super...I couldn't get mine except for my own contributions but that may just be the Public Service. Would be really interested to know how you go. Good luck!

Kath are you still on the internet??? What time is it there???

I have another questions for you all.....Jake doesn't have much stuff for our apartment because he lives on base and I really don't want to use his funky cutlery (flatwear - USA translation) that has been in storage for +3years right? Now I can send my cutlery via mail all safely wrapped in bubble wrap but I read up on Australia Post and you are not allowed to send weapons...would you classify cutlery as weapons? I asked at the Post Office today and they were unsure and said it may get confiscated because it will have knives even though they are blunt ended. I don't want that to happen as my stuff is expensive and my mum brought it for my 21st. Anyone got any ideas who I could contact and ask, maybe UPS??

Wonderful news David and Stephanie!!! Yay!!!!

Hey Serendip, great that you heard something! ....see I told you it would be soon. But just remember it is truelly ok to vent in here. I think all of us have done it at some stage!

What a great day all round....I am waiting for someone to come and look at my car tonight...cross your fingers that it sells.

I do have a quick question about superannuation... I found out that you can get your personal contributions paid out but not your employers that's with the PSS. I am thinking this will help us a bit. Is this true? I am happy for my super to sit there but would be nice to have the little bit that i have contributed....your thoughts??

Exactly! You can rant in the Aussie Forum anytime you want..you got our support but out here in general VJ land I am disappointed to say that people just aren't as supportive.

As I said before I have a long timeline, but it really doesn't matter who's timeline is long or who's is short....it's just a tough process all round and it helps to be able to talk about it when you need.

Ameristralians have gotta stick together!

I have a one way ticket and it was cheaper. Sydney to JFK via Bangkok.

Don't forget to tell the airline that you are migrating if you have excess baggage. Most airlines are quite understanding when there's a Visa involved.

Good luck!

Hey Serendip,

Hang in there, I know it is frustrating but I am sure you will hear soon AND feel free to vent/rant anytime you want to. We all know what you are going through and it doesn't matter what timeline you have. Here's hoping that your process keeps being speedy. I wouldn't wish a long process on anyone, been there done that and it's hard.

Remember you have lots of support if you need it in the Aussie Forum.

Girlfrmoz

Hey Serendip, awesome, a road trip coast to coast that would be a lot of fun. Yeah, we are starting to make plans now and talk dreams etc, (like I want two alpacas in the back yard if we get a farm lol) it helps keep you focussed when things get a bit tough. We started our Visa Journey last May so it's been a long haul. Now I just can't wait, we are also planning a weekend in Vegas and camping up the Rockies when the weather warms up! It's Jake's birthday just after I arrive so I am thinking to make an aussie BBQ for him.

If anyone wants to make suggestions of what is typically aussie that we can have it would be much appreciated! Do we really have traditional aussie BBQ food besides maybe damper or beetroot?

I also told Jake not to buy too much in groceries before I come over because I love grocery shopping over there. I read all the packs, become fascinated with thingys like spray-on cheese and runover people with my trolley (cause they push their trolleys on the same side as they drive). It's great fun!

Hammy, thank you for that eddiebauer link, will check it out...I have to say poor fish being kissed by Jake! I think he will be too chicken though. lol Now how many sleeps till your interview??? Most important thing to remember is all the papers in the order as the consulate requests. You'll be just fine though!

The LLBean site was good but jeeze waders are expensive and the fishing rods even more expensive. Choccy eating is a much more economical hobby!

Oh and KATH you need to get of that internet and get some sleep, sis! lmao

See ya

Lyndel

WELCOME TO VJ!!! Another Aussie YAY!!!!

.....and as the other aussies said, come and say hello in the Down Under forum. We're a friendly bunch!

I should be packing for the big move but alas I am on VJ meanwhile, the piles of things that need packing are staring at me!

Oh and I know that even though i am a grown woman, my mother will come home and lecture me about cleaning my bedroom (I am living with them for now until i go)

So how many sleeps is that Hammy??

Hang in there not long to go! See ya in the Oz Room

Mmmmm the things I miss when i haven't been on for awhile!

Hey Paul, awesome, thank you I will tell Jake to check out the link as well.

Meanwhile i will ensure i have a supply of choccies in case we can't catch a fishy for dinner (none of that hershey ####### though, no offence to any americans on here but cadbury choc is so so good! )

I grew up at Tathra/Merimbula on the south east coast so am traditionally a salt water fisherwoman so this fly fishing is new to me, I am just hoping not to get water in my waders or to hook my ear or Jake's cause i am completely unco! Think this will test the marriage!! I keep telling Jake that he has to kiss the fish before he throws them back to which he says "Ewwww!!" what a wuss! Hope he doesn't read that....nuh i tell him when he's wussy!

PS. Oh my god Kath and Caroline, that cake looks like heaven...mmmmm.....choccy!! I don't think i can make it cause i will eat the whole thing! BURP! lol

Thanks a million Hammy, I will check it out.

What I wanted to do was take one extra bag as excess luggage so that I have what i need to dress professionally when i get there and then send the rest via shipping cause it's stuff that I won't need for awhile.

Jake and I are checking out fly fishing ideas, how cool is that. Can't wait to get to colorado and try it!

Congratulations Elle!!!! sorry for the delay in replying I've been a bit busy and haven't been online for a couple of days.

As for my shoes....my thoughts were to take two suitcases (32kg) with clothes and paperwork, and an extra sports bag for my shoes. I thought even if I have to pay some excess it won't be much surely if its just continental airlines in the USA and the international flight is already covered. I will ring up and check though and I will let you know how I go.

I also checked out shipping some time ago. I will get you the link later, for some reason yahoo is playing up for me tonight and I can't get into my email.

Hope everyone else is doing well!

Cheers

Lyndel

Congrats Rings, that is wonderful news....you are on your way!

Em, I don't think i wished you Congrats on the arrival of your baby so belated Congratulations. It's such a special time. I am surrounded by friends having babies at the moment, seems like a lot of people got up to some hanky panky around June - August last year!

Hi Kath, how are you going? Jake says it's warming up in his area what about where you live??

Serendip, thanks for the link to that website it's great! OH NO!!! They're out of stock in Twisties and my fav choccy Cadbury Hazelnut!!! Guess I'll have to take a stash with me. I can't go without choccy! I got a 4 bar a week habit!

WELL!!! CONGRATULATIONS VIK AND NYCANGEL!!!! YAY!!!

OH and David you too!! You have been waiting so long for this so congrats to you and Stephanie. I really wish you all the best!

Hi Tamzo, I had to wait about 4 weeks to get my police cert interview too and I am from the ACT...I know it really sucks but you will get through it....hang in there!

How is everyone else???

Well I joined the gym yesterday just for the month until i go, hopefully to relieve some stress and work the chocolate off (not that certain people in here share theirs anyway!! )

I am still struggling with packing..what to take...what not to take, but getting there. Why do i have so many clothes?? Why??

P.S MIGHT HAVE SOME NICE CHOCOLATE HERSHEY KISSES AND SOME

PEEPS THE WIFEE BROUGHT OVER FOR ME

AND I DON'T SHARE EITHER MINE MINE MINE MINE!!!

I'm dobbing you into your wifey! Betcha she will make you share your choccies!

Hi All, how is everyone... wow so much is happening at the moment!

Congratulations on your up and coming interview Hammy! You must be tickled pink, how exciting!

Oh and goodluck to Vik and NYCangel for interviews on Monday. I will be crossing fingers, toes, knees, etc for you! We will want updates straight after OK!

Now who was it that posted the flight booking links was that you Kath? yeah I'm sure it was you oh and Vik too. Thank you so much you two for posting links definitely saved me some money! I ended up booking my internal US flights with orbitz.com...

Serendip, you wanted flight costs...I can only do the international one in aussie dollars but easy to convert. I am flying sydney/bangkok/Newyork JFK, so that JFK is my POE and I can get the temp EAD stamp...cost was $1400 AUD approximately including tax. It was really hard to get a flight with JFK as the POE. Then I am flying JFK/Houston/Colorado Springs and that is costing about $183 USD including tax. Hope that helps.

40 sleeps to go!!! I have given up choccy (ok, ok I'm lying! ) and have now started on those little packets of french fry type chippies...grrr to comfort eating!!!

Hiya All,

Gee the name changing stuff is really complex too.....I hope you guys work it out ok.

I had to renew my security clearance at work the other day and everyone was groaning about how hard it is...well...after the Visa process it was a breeze! They only wanted the last 5yrs of employment and residence and I am using the police certificate I did for the Visa which is quite useful.

Anyway, I just dropped in because I learnt a handy little piece of information to consider on your final flight to the USA. Apparently, if you let the airline know you are travelling on an imigration visa and your ticket is also one way some are very helpful and don't charge any fees for excess baggage. I am flying via Bangkok to JFK with Thai Airlines. The travel agent checked with them and they were great and said no cost if i wish to bring a couple of extra bags. Awesome cause being a girl i have heaps to take! Anyway, hope this helps some of you as well!

Take care

Lyndel

Hey All...well getting pretty exciting in here isn't it, things are on the move!

Congratulations Elle!!! YAY!!! Another Aussie through. Told you it would be easy! Bet you're relieved! I have a definite date for leaving Australia now...18 April, flight booked, I will visit my bro in Sydney before I go so if you are still around we can catchup for coffee.

Hey folks if any of you are thinking of flying soon better check flights now cause I had a really difficult time getting a flight into JFK as my POE because of Easter and school hols. Now flying through Bangkok.

NYCangel awesome news that you were able to change your interview date!

Moonie I think I already wished you congrats but if not congratulations to you and to Vylex too on the NOA1 oh and Serendipitous on your NOA2 (my god yr timeline is so quick compared to ours)...wahoo!!

Hi Jodee, my fiance is military too so I know what it is like and how proud of them you feel. Jake came back from Iraq last year and now I just want to get over there and spend time with him before he has to go again. I wish your hubby a safe and speedy return. Thank you to all who serve our countries.

Well I have a question.. I am not sure how to handle my name change when i am married....I want to hyphenate my name so I have mine and Jake's surnames but I am wondering because it will be complicated whether I just use his surname in bills for the AOS proof and what happens when I apply for SSN when I get there and then get married?? Name change then?

Oh and Hampster, chocolate free today! I am so proud of myself but then again it is only 6.13pm still time to lash out and grab a choccy if I need! Thank god that adelaide song didn't stay in my head! lol

See ya!

Hi Elle, no i don't think you have to get the copies certified unless you want to. I just did it cause I am an parnoid freak plus it looks impressive to have the AFP official certified stamp on them!

Try and get some sleep, hang in there!

PS. I only had two 50g blocks of chocolate today, trying to wean off my addiction.....thinking tomorrow i can just go cold turkey......