ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Asia: East and PacificLAND DOWNUNDER
Hey Stella! Congrats! WElcome to the States! Hope you had a nice journey...now the hard part...planning the wedding :)

Matt - how the heck have you been? Haven't seen you around much!

As for me...no news really. We are leaving tomorrow for a family reunion in West Virginia. Stewart's going to be in culture shock...haha
CarolineMFemaleAustralia2006-06-29 07:21:00
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Ohh shoot. Let's see.

there's the flight for the American to Oz...$1500? or so?
Now it's changed but it was about 500-ish for the actual visa.
Then there's the costs for the medical and police checks.
and the trip to Sydney for the interview...

Not sure about totals - maybe someone else can help with that.
CarolineMFemaleAustralia2006-06-27 06:15:00
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OMg...too gutted to even talk about it. <sigh>
CarolineMFemaleAustralia2006-06-26 13:00:00
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Welcome Hamster. Glad to have you here!
CarolineMFemaleAustralia2006-06-26 08:56:00
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Monday - 11 am Eastern Standard Time :)

I've got my Tivo ready!
CarolineMFemaleAustralia2006-06-23 20:14:00
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go socceroooooos!!!
CarolineMFemaleAustralia2006-06-22 19:09:00
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YEAH for Kath and Rob!! Now she can get over here for the wedding Robbie's been working so hard planning!!

HOOOORAY!! SYdney is truly on fire these days!

Hope everyone is doing well.

OH BTW!! So yesterday Stewart's like...I have a present for you... I'm thinking, flowers? chocolate? I was excited...

HIS PARENTS SENT US PROPER SOCCEROO JERSEYS!!! OMG how excited am I? It's the real nike one! Now we ar egoing to where them to the pub on Sunday for the game! YAY!!

Just thought I'd let ya'll know.
CarolineMFemaleAustralia2006-06-16 06:09:00
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Scary off topics? huh?
CarolineMFemaleAustralia2006-06-15 13:21:00
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Stella: Keep the xray in your carry on. They didn't ask for it from Stewart but that's what he was told to do...

Kath: OMG can't wait to hear of your approval!

Lorelle: GET UP HERE ALREADY :) Florida (And it's impending hurricanes) await you!
CarolineMFemaleAustralia2006-06-14 07:26:00
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Brilliant! thanks Matt! i'll try this one tomorrow - tonight was botched chicken followed by a tearful scene and then dinner out :)

i'm still learning ha
CarolineMFemaleAustralia2006-06-13 19:32:00
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Has anyone got a good recipe for sausage rolls?

I found two HARD ones and one easier one on Mates Up OVer but thought I'd ask ya'll first. I've finally mastered meat pies, though!! :)

I wanted to make Stewart a nice AUssie meal tonight to celebrate yesterday's victory!
CarolineMFemaleAustralia2006-06-13 08:03:00
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Umm, dude...

The Socceroos RULE.

Tim Cahill is my new sports crush :)
CarolineMFemaleAustralia2006-06-13 07:42:00
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HAHAH can't wait to hear of your approval Kath...do'nt wanna hear that other stuff though :)

So don't be jealous...but I THINK Stewart and I are going to the World Cup of Cricket in March 2007 in St Kitts. We'll be seeing Aus vs. SA

Now I know that cricket is more of a Melbourne thing...but I am so flipping excited.

Andrew Symonds is my 3rd favorite Australian.
CarolineMFemaleAustralia2006-06-06 11:56:00
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YAY for sydney :)
CarolineMFemaleAustralia2006-06-05 13:44:00
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Just FYI.

We had our interview on Friday and Stewart and I stayed so he could pick it up. They CLOSE the consulate at like 3?? or so...so you go pick it up between 3-4. He BREEZED in and out - he said it was sooo easy and worth waiting for him. That way he had it IN HIS HAND. If you can stay ONE extra day - go get it yourself... heaps easier than the interview part :)

Lorelle - I wish I could be there for yours after YOUR approval :( Oh well :( :( You can jet down to the underground food court and have some chapagne, or coffee, for all of us :) :) I can't WAIT to hear your good news.
CarolineMFemaleAustralia2006-05-31 13:55:00
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Stella: WOOOOO that is awesome news. Sydney is still kicking some major butt!

Matt: I watched almost the whole thing. I LOOKEd hot, but fun! I hope you had a blast. How's the job going? Are you the head pro yet :)

Kath and Lorelle: Not long now :)
CarolineMFemaleAustralia2006-05-30 06:44:00
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Kaffy and Mike! So happy for your reunion :) enjoy it!! And keep us posted! Don't just disappear on us!
CarolineMFemaleAustralia2006-05-27 07:58:00
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Just popping in to say - good luck to everyone with everything - I know we have several interviews coming up!!!

SENDING GOOOOOOOD Vibes to the land down under :)
CarolineMFemaleAustralia2006-05-26 14:58:00
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Stewart is from Geelong :) I love Melbourne MUCH better than Sydney IMHO.

I think you can start the ball rolling from anywhere but be sure to put your Australian address for all future correspondance I'd say.

Good luck with everything - where are you getting hitched in Mel?? We did it at the Registry and it was quite nice...Small and low key which was great for us!!!

Stay in touch and let us know if you have any questions. Stew and I JUST did DCF in March so it's still pretty fresh in my memory :)
CarolineMFemaleAustralia2006-05-23 08:46:00
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Glad to help :) I remember how anxious we were about the DUI ... so it's all good!

Tell me about it...without VJ I'd still be waiting for my husband to get here :)
CarolineMFemaleAustralia2006-05-21 20:15:00
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I can answer that question with absolute certainty Stella. Stewart had a DUI in the states LAST SUMMER. We were petrified...but it was not a crime of moral turpitude...so it's fine.

We did list it, and had all the court paper work and forms saying he fulfilled his "punishment" or whatever...but since it was so long ago you wouldn't need that probably. Esp if it's not showing on your criminal check.

AGAIN NOT A CRIME OF MORAL TURPITUDE. His was LAST SUMMER AND in the states and he's o k :)

hope that helps./
CarolineMFemaleAustralia2006-05-20 21:47:00
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YAY for fast moving Stella (I'm sure you'll get it all back in time!)

YAY for wedding planning Kath!! I know you're excited!

Not much to report here. Life is just peachy! I still can't believe I get to wake up next to Stewart every morning. He still likes his job and I got a major promotion of sorts which is awesome. It's not a $$ increase but a MAJOR status increase which in the education field is all you can expect really!

We have to plan our trip back to Oz over xmas soon - those tickets get majorly expensive if you wait to o long!!
Hope all is well with my aussie (aussie american) friends!
CarolineMFemaleAustralia2006-05-19 08:05:00
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I'm here...everytime I checked here there were no new posts so I hadn't written anything!! I had an ok weekend...not super...but here we are: Monday.

This is the last proper week of school so starting next week life's going to get GOOOOOOD.
CarolineMFemaleAustralia2006-05-15 06:29:00
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i'd say that's a bit of an urban legend. The woman to whom people are referring is Rose. She is actually VERY sweet and has approved everyone I have heard from. She IS, however, no nonsense in the sense that you'd better have your SH!T together...but that's par for the course anyway!

She is actually very sweet!! No worries.

When I signed up for health insurance - and when I put Stewart on mine...they didn't ask ANY health questions. Not one.

I don't think they can, can they?
CarolineMFemaleAustralia2006-05-09 06:18:00
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Just so much good news lately!! I'm glad everyone is doing well.

Things here couldn't be better. My family LOVES LOVES LOVES stewart. It's so bad that my mom has just started calling HIM instead of me... He called me today and said, "Call home, your mum is worried..." because she had called HIM!!

<sigh>

our new condo is AMAZING. We just love being able to come home to eachother...and wake up next to eachother every morning. I know ya'll understand that.

And He got the EXACT job he wanted. He starts on May 8th...AND he's all registered for classes and ready to start those too...

soooo busy but all good things.

Kaffy - I'm so sorry about your cats :( THat's so hard to let go of pets but Mike is worth it I'm sure :) :)
Lorelle - where EXACTLY in FL are you going to be agian? i need to whip out the map!!!
Matt - How's the job going?? You like it pretty well?
Kath - How are the wedding plans going? Are you involved at all or he Robbie doing the whole thing?

Also where has Mellie and Sean been? I feel abandoned!
CarolineMFemaleAustralia2006-05-01 10:18:00
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No fair! I would have guessed it if I had been online this weekend.

Ok lots of good stuff to report for this Aussie/American Duo!!!!

1. We moved into our new condo - We've never owned anything this big before...so exciting...Last night as we were eating dinner, I was like, "Did you ever truly imagine we'd have our own place and actually be TOGETHER?" We never thought we'd be able to do this...it's amazing. The condo is PERFECT. as our wedding gift, my aunt and my mom decorated and furnished the WHOLE PLACe. It's awesome. The bad part is that we don't have cable yet and WONT until May 2nd. Boo. AND since we are getting internet through cable...that also means no internet at home. On the bright side we are enjoying no TV and internet...it's not so bad :)

2. yesterday Stewart got a job!!! He was offered a job as a pharmacy technician at CVS. It's not the one he wanted but today he's going to call in to the one he DOES want and say, "Hey, i have a job offer...what's the deal." THe good thing is, either way, he has a job :) :) he's soooo happy. I think he was feeling kinda worthless in a way...which is silly I think, but I guess I can see where he's coming from.

Jodie - you'll get something soon :) I'll keep the MOJO coming!!
Not long now Cathy!!!!! I'm so stoked for you guys.

XOXOXOXO
Caroline

Edited by karo112, 24 April 2006 - 06:57 AM.

CarolineMFemaleAustralia2006-04-24 06:57:00
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Looooooooyville? I think. You'd better get used to saying it right ;)

congrats congrats!
CarolineMFemaleAustralia2006-04-21 12:46:00
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mmmmm....carlton draught.

that's all I drink when i'm in melbourne.

when I'm in Sydney it's toohey's new all the way!
CarolineMFemaleAustralia2006-04-20 07:41:00
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it seems after all the waiting you've done - more waiting is just cruel. It will get there - darn Easter holiday and all :) HUGS
CarolineMFemaleAustralia2006-04-19 08:02:00
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If he's already in Oz...I see NO reason why you shouldn't just do it :) It literally cuts MONTHS off of the process. I sent you a PM - talk to you soon!

oh and Stewart got his Green Card yesterday, guys :) We're official!!!
CarolineMFemaleAustralia2006-04-15 09:34:00
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I just sent you a PM but if he's there WITH YOU in Australia...DO DCF!!! You can have the whole process finished in NO TIME!!


Let us know if you have quesitons - many of us have been through it that way!
CarolineMFemaleAustralia2006-04-14 09:43:00
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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 :(
CarolineMFemaleAustralia2006-04-12 06:07:00
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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 :)
CarolineMFemaleAustralia2006-04-11 12:23:00
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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?

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......


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!
CarolineMFemaleAustralia2006-04-11 06:30:00
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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!

Edited by karo112, 10 April 2006 - 07:23 AM.

CarolineMFemaleAustralia2006-04-10 07:22:00
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Aww Kath that is AWESOME :)

I am so happy for you and Rob! Congrats!
CarolineMFemaleAustralia2006-04-07 11:30:00
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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!
CarolineMFemaleAustralia2006-04-06 07:52:00
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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.
CarolineMFemaleAustralia2006-04-03 06:31:00
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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 :)
CarolineMFemaleAustralia2006-03-31 07:56:00
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aww thanks guys.

Yeah the calling thing was weird. When I got to Oz, my mobile worked there - so I was happy. I tried to ring Stewart's mobile the way I usually do...011 etc etc realizing since my mobile was hooked into Optus, it was local now.

It took me 20 mins of fooling with it until finally, at the airport, I walked up to some guy and was like, if this is how I dial from America, how would I dial it here.

he laughed, but helped me no worries.

I love Australia :)
CarolineMFemaleAustralia2006-03-28 13:08:00