LAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi

[TerriandEric 4]

We got our interview date via email this morning -- April 6th at 10am WOOOOTTT!!!!!!! :dance: :dance:

[Bacon 0]

We got our interview date via email this morning -- April 6th at 10am WOOOOTTT!!!!!!! :dance: :dance:

Congrats!!! I'm hoping we have a quick interview date too.

[Bacon 0]

Okay, question number 536 here.

Ham's filling out the packet three form....finally. He isn't sure though about the part where it says city or towns lived since 16.

He's lived in various suburbs of Wollongong and wants to know if he can just put Wollongong on there or if he has to actually list the suburb area.

Like the last place he lived was Leumeah but that was a suburb of Campbelltown and he doesn't know if he can just put Campbelltown or Leumeah.

[TerriandEric 4]

Okay, question number 536 here.

Ham's filling out the packet three form....finally. He isn't sure though about the part where it says city or towns lived since 16.

He's lived in various suburbs of Wollongong and wants to know if he can just put Wollongong on there or if he has to actually list the suburb area.

Like the last place he lived was Leumeah but that was a suburb of Campbelltown and he doesn't know if he can just put Campbelltown or Leumeah.

I listed all suburbs from most recent as far back as 10 years ago -- otherwise I would fill a couple of A4 sheets of paper. Even though I lived in Aberglasslyn in 4 addresses of that suburb I put that suburb in with the time line to account for where I lived. On Packet 4 there was no issue for having needing additional information either.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Okay, question number 536 here.

Ham's filling out the packet three form....finally. He isn't sure though about the part where it says city or towns lived since 16.

He's lived in various suburbs of Wollongong and wants to know if he can just put Wollongong on there or if he has to actually list the suburb area.

Like the last place he lived was Leumeah but that was a suburb of Campbelltown and he doesn't know if he can just put Campbelltown or Leumeah.

As irritating as it is, it's in your best interests to list EVERY address. I lived in 4 different suburbs of Melbourne, but listed them all. Also moved in a small country town to a new house but listed both addresses.

You would have sent mail to Leumeah, not Campbelltown so that's how I work it out. Mine was bad enough to require an attached sheet but i felt better being SURE.

[alex and astrid 38]

I just fit all my addresses on the form, because I have moved quite a bit since I was 16! I had to attach a form for my employment, since I had to list every job I've had since I was 15! I've had a LOT of jobs hahah!

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Hello my Aussie peeps.

Just a little update. Staying with Tony's parents (and little sister) until we're able to organise somewhere to live. His mother is... hmm.. the typical mother-in-law the people complain about but I'm going to try and suffer through (I say "I" but really I think Tony's hating it more).

On a positive note, some of you will know already that I'm getting a Kitchenaid mixer but what I couldn't write on FB is.. my mum is mailing me one. Which sounds weird right because they're more expensive in Aus right? Not if you're lucky like my mum and WIN one!! So posting it is cheaper than buying one here She buys a lot of yoghurt and she bought Vaalia one day and saw a competition to win a dinner with Donna Hay OR instant win prize of a Kitchenaid mixers. 2 people a day won the mixers. Mum had my brother send the codes (she only had 3) and she WON! She was super-dooper excited but waited until she got the official win letter before she told me (which was yesterday) so for my bday and Xmas she's mailing me the mixer The reason I can't mention it on FB is because my sister doesn't know that mum won one, and although my sister doesn't cook (or should I say CAN'T.. 2 minutes noodles in the microwave without water... twice!), she'll probably complain but mum said she only entered the competition because she knows how badly I want one and because we have to wait a while before I get one (buying a house or starting to rent is expensive.. as is moving across the country!).

So there you go How is everyone else? Terri I saw your interview date so I'm super excited for you. It's official the 1st April in Australia so it's 5 sleeps

[TerriandEric 4]

WTG Vanessa!! What an awesome win for you Mum & now for you :thumbs: Sorry to hear that your MIL is stuck in the stereotype.

Yep 5 more sleeps to interview....I am beyond excited & can hardly wait. I started packing suitcases yesterday as Aus Post willing we will be flying out on the 10th...only 9 more days YAY! :dance:

My daughter signs out of school today & some of her friends have been 'guilt tripping' her about leaving. I keep seeing it all over her facebook page and last night Eric & I were talking about it. We both know today will be tough but with sentiments of 'dont leave us' 'you cant go' 'its never going to be the same now' etc etc etc its not going to get easier for her. All we can do is be here for her like always & be patient while she is so upset...hopefully the excitement will rub off on her over the next few days.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Yep 5 more sleeps to interview....I am beyond excited & can hardly wait. I started packing suitcases yesterday as Aus Post willing we will be flying out on the 10th...only 9 more days YAY! :dance:

My daughter signs out of school today & some of her friends have been 'guilt tripping' her about leaving. I keep seeing it all over her facebook page and last night Eric & I were talking about it. We both know today will be tough but with sentiments of 'dont leave us' 'you cant go' 'its never going to be the same now' etc etc etc its not going to get easier for her. All we can do is be here for her like always & be patient while she is so upset...hopefully the excitement will rub off on her over the next few days.

Awww I think she should look at it as a good thing that people are "guilt tripping" her. It shows how loved she is, and that while she's away they won't forget her. She'll have a place for her friends to visit in another country. If she has such good friends now she'll have no trouble making more friends in the US, stuff like that. It's also important to remember that she can't live her life for other people. Let's say she doesn't go, then what? Will her friends be there all the time? What about when she graduates? She's about to start a new adventure that so many people wish for and soon she'll be in a new place, her mum will be happier, and it will be all new and exciting!

Perhaps you could show her some pics? (you probably have already) but things a kid is interested in, like, what does her school look like? What does the school schedule look like? What do their uniforms (if any) look like? Perhaps she could do a FB search of some people that will be at her school (I can show you how to do that if you like) so she sees the people. Also, she'll have a lot of people getting interested in her accent. She'll be able to drive sooner. She'll get 3 months of summer vacation, maybe there's a summer camp she'll want to go to? What about places to shop and hang out? Maybe she can start looking at interesting places to eat, or weird food she wants to try so she can start making a list. I know I have a "places to visit" list so that I can get all excited about that. Clothes are fairly cheap here so maybe she can start looking at the different fashions/shops?

As sad as it all is on the one hand, her friends unfortunately won't be there for life. No-one and nothing remains the same. People move on, move away, things change. It doesn't mean it HAS to and she can still stay in contact via FB and, depending on her age she probably won't want to hear it but, she'll learn who her REAL friends are, they'll be the ones that try and stay in contact and send her physical letters and presents etc.

Hope that helps and gives you some ideas

Woot 5 sleeps!

[alex and astrid 38]

Hello my Aussie peeps.

Just a little update. Staying with Tony's parents (and little sister) until we're able to organise somewhere to live. His mother is... hmm.. the typical mother-in-law the people complain about but I'm going to try and suffer through (I say "I" but really I think Tony's hating it more).

On a positive note, some of you will know already that I'm getting a Kitchenaid mixer but what I couldn't write on FB is.. my mum is mailing me one. Which sounds weird right because they're more expensive in Aus right? Not if you're lucky like my mum and WIN one!! So posting it is cheaper than buying one here She buys a lot of yoghurt and she bought Vaalia one day and saw a competition to win a dinner with Donna Hay OR instant win prize of a Kitchenaid mixers. 2 people a day won the mixers. Mum had my brother send the codes (she only had 3) and she WON! She was super-dooper excited but waited until she got the official win letter before she told me (which was yesterday) so for my bday and Xmas she's mailing me the mixer The reason I can't mention it on FB is because my sister doesn't know that mum won one, and although my sister doesn't cook (or should I say CAN'T.. 2 minutes noodles in the microwave without water... twice!), she'll probably complain but mum said she only entered the competition because she knows how badly I want one and because we have to wait a while before I get one (buying a house or starting to rent is expensive.. as is moving across the country!).

So there you go How is everyone else? Terri I saw your interview date so I'm super excited for you. It's official the 1st April in Australia so it's 5 sleeps

YAAAAAAAY! I'm still very jealous of you! I would much rather win a mixer than dinner with Donna Hay hahaha. I don't want to be a downer, but it will work in the US, right? The voltage should be okay, since stuff like my laptop and hair straightener work here...let us know!!

WTG Vanessa!! What an awesome win for you Mum & now for you :thumbs: Sorry to hear that your MIL is stuck in the stereotype.

Yep 5 more sleeps to interview....I am beyond excited & can hardly wait. I started packing suitcases yesterday as Aus Post willing we will be flying out on the 10th...only 9 more days YAY! :dance:

My daughter signs out of school today & some of her friends have been 'guilt tripping' her about leaving. I keep seeing it all over her facebook page and last night Eric & I were talking about it. We both know today will be tough but with sentiments of 'dont leave us' 'you cant go' 'its never going to be the same now' etc etc etc its not going to get easier for her. All we can do is be here for her like always & be patient while she is so upset...hopefully the excitement will rub off on her over the next few days.

Ahh, got to love teenage girls!! They are very good at making you feel bad. But, Vanessa is right....friends aren't always there forever, especially those in high school. I've been out of high school six years now, and out of the large group of friends I had, I keep in regular contact with about three of them. She always has the ability to go home and visit, and she will have the internet to keep in touch, much easier to be long distance than it was ten years ago! Bek has a massive advantage when she starts school over here too, people are going to want to know her!! When I started college, it was easy to break the ice because everyone wanted to talk to me. And if she is anything like you Terri, she will be able to handle it. I moved a lot as a kid and making new friends isn't too bad.

She has a lot to look forward to when she comes out here...I can't really think of anything to add to what Vanessa said but she will not be bored! And she has a wedding to help you out with too. Before you know it, you will have been there for a few months and be settled

As for me....My AOS case was transfered to CSC today...hopefully this means a speedy GC approval!

[VanessaTony 3,567]

YAAAAAAAY! I'm still very jealous of you! I would much rather win a mixer than dinner with Donna Hay hahaha. I don't want to be a downer, but it will work in the US, right? The voltage should be okay, since stuff like my laptop and hair straightener work here...let us know!

Oooo good point! Luckily I bought a converter when I was here last so if it's an issue, then I do have that to "fix it". i'll look into it more but it looks like it WILL work but I'll need my bulky transformer.

[Jaime and Melvin 0]

That's sad that they are making her feel bad Tez but at the end of the day, it's her life and her decision.

I have my sisters always telling me that I can't leave and can't take the boys far far away ... UM they NEVER come to visit me, so why should I live my life to please them? I think not lol.

It's funny about the whole voltage thing in the US ... I have blown up 2 Aussie hair dryers over there but my GHD straightener works fine! Lachy's DSi takes longer to charge and so does my mobile though. I'm selling all my electricals before I go, like Lachy's consoles (PS2, Wii, DSi etc).

Tezzzzzzzzzzz I wanna be there at your interview LMAO

[TerriandEric 4]

That's sad that they are making her feel bad Tez but at the end of the day, it's her life and her decision.

I have my sisters always telling me that I can't leave and can't take the boys far far away ... UM they NEVER come to visit me, so why should I live my life to please them? I think not lol.

It's funny about the whole voltage thing in the US ... I have blown up 2 Aussie hair dryers over there but my GHD straightener works fine! Lachy's DSi takes longer to charge and so does my mobile though. I'm selling all my electricals before I go, like Lachy's consoles (PS2, Wii, DSi etc).

Tezzzzzzzzzzz I wanna be there at your interview LMAO

I agree with everything you have all said -- Bek does need to realize that friends in high school are not always going to be there...I only speak to one of the girls I went to school with & I left school 21 years ago now (OMG I suddenly feel old lmao) We have started looking at some awesome places to take her once we are there -- I am itching to go to the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame & Hershey's Chocolate World! I am sure in the long run she will be fine and will settle in happily into life there -- the initial jolt will be tough and we have made her aware that it is not just her who is having a major life change -- it is all 3 of us! Poor Eric has never lived with a teenage girl in the house (poor man!) so he has admitted he has some adjustments to make because of this.

Jaime I wish you were there too -- would be awesome to see someone who understands how this process feels *hugs*

[kaffy 2]

HI Aussies, just returned from my two week trip abroad. Had an awesome time with my family and friends and it was nice to get away for a bit. I came back through Seatac and had no issues with my passport and green card being in different names (maiden and married). One thing that I wasn't expecting though was that despite having a green card, I was still directed to go through the visitor's line !! The US citizens line was reserved strictly for US and Canadian passport holders..?? Is this the same in other airports?

Anyway, it's great to be home.. got a busy couple weeks ahead as we will be moving into our new home

Vanessa- congrats to your mum for winning the mixer and that's so nice that she's mailing it to you! Aside from the voltage issue that others have mentioned... have you looked into how much it will cost to mail it here? Cos they are quite heavy and it might end up costing more than the price of a new one here .. ? Your mum could always sell hers and send you the money to buy one here (with cash to spare)

[kaffy 2]

It's funny about the whole voltage thing in the US ... I have blown up 2 Aussie hair dryers over there but my GHD straightener works fine! Lachy's DSi takes longer to charge and so does my mobile though. I'm selling all my electricals before I go, like Lachy's consoles (PS2, Wii, DSi etc).

Your GHD is probably dual voltage (marked 110-240V) while the hairdryers you blew up are strictly compatible with Aussie voltage only.

When I moved I only brought my electronics that are dual voltage (laptop, cellphone, camera, epilator, etc) and got rid of everything else (electric toothbrush, dyson, etc)