Australian Beneficiaries - Packet 3 to Interview date

[TerriandEric 4]

Astrid the photos are absolutely stunning!!!!

[Giggles 1]

Lyekka, I can't believe the trees are blooming over there in Seatle and over here in DC nothing is blooming! Most of the snow is gone now and it's starting to get a little warmer.

Astrid, lovely pictures! It looked like a beautiful day. The pictures taken in the evening look great with the fairy lights in the background....love it!

It feels so good not having to stick to our calling/Skype schedule now. We use to talk twice a day once during the day when I was at work (usually on my lunch break) and then in the evening before I went to bed. Then we'd video call on Skype on the weekends. My fiance is glad that he can finally sleep in on weekends now instead of having to wake up at 7.30-8:00am to call me. Lol. I say the same thing as you Astrid "thank god for Skype". Imagine how hard this would have been back in the days before Skype and the internet!!

[lyekka 5]

Haha I hear you on the scheduling! Alex and I lived together for two and a half years while I was in the US on a student visa, so when I went home last year to wait for the K1 it was so weird to have to schedule 'skype dates" so we could see each other! Since we both worked full time, the only time we could talk was my Saturday and Sunday afternoons, which was his Friday and Saturday nights. Thank God for Skype, I don't know how we would have coped.

Three more weeks...So soon for you Jules! Those last few weeks flew by for me, as did the three weeks in between me getting back to LA and the wedding. Can't wait to hear all about you guys being reunited!

Side note - If anyone wants to see wedding pics, Clicky!

Absolutely gorgeous!!!! Being a wedding photographer myself I have to say you got a good one! Those pics are very well done. You guys look so happy I cant wait for that day. Yeah I cant believe its getting so close feels like a dream. And to think he will be coming through your neck of the woods hehe. Thanks for sharing your pics. Im gonna friend you up on FB

Jules

[lyekka 5]

Lyekka, I can't believe the trees are blooming over there in Seatle and over here in DC nothing is blooming! Most of the snow is gone now and it's starting to get a little warmer.

Its been crazy weather here, have had a clear view of the mountains for a weeks straight! They will be covered with snow until about June so i can go play in it anytime i want. We have been in the 50s for about 3 weeks, so everything is blooming. So weird how im so far north and my parents and you more south than me are still so cold. But im not complaining!

[James&Candice 3]

OK so I decided to go ahead and get my police check done early. I am so glad I have. Just remember that, just because they are police officers doesn't mean they know everything. I had the form filled out and took the instructions with me, with the bits relevant highlighted like the cost $175 and that I needed the name date of birth and fingerprint check. He still got it wrong.

After trying all afternoon yesterday ringing them to see if it was a good time to come in for it (4 times they said come back at a later time and that was just that day) I decided to just go in. I expected for there to be no officers in there by the way they keep carrying on, on the phone. There was police officers everywhere.

AnyWho he did it wrong he only did the date of birth and name check even though I said the word fingerprint twice. It wasn't until I questioned him again and he looked at the form number on the instrustions 799 that he got a clue. I didn't want to have to tell a POLICE OFFICER that he was wrong, thankgod the lightbolb went off in his head. So he had to write 2 reciepts numbers on the form and to top it off I couldn't get my prints taken cause there was "prisoners" there. Id have to say I would have found it intimidating. But thinking about it now I should have just said stuff them I'll do the check.

Anyway I have to go back at 6pm to get the prints done. I assume I will have to explain everything to the officer I get then too. Almost got it checked off the list. going to my GP on friday to get the blood test.

GGGGR I just knew I'd have a problem. Ok I'v finished my rant. Time for some lunch

Edited March 3, 2010 by James&Candice

[Jaime and Melvin 0]

I hope you had luck when you went back Candice, what a stuff around! Just keep thinking to yourself that this is all going to be over very very soon lol.

Are these Police checks different prices in each State? I was under the impression that the cost was AU $131?

[James&Candice 3]

I hope you had luck when you went back Candice, what a stuff around! Just keep thinking to yourself that this is all going to be over very very soon lol.

Are these Police checks different prices in each State? I was under the impression that the cost was AU $131?

It all went great when I went back Jamie in and out really quick, joked around with the young officer. Yes the prices are different for all states. I think NSW is one of the most expensive. Lucky you $131

I went to to work straight after and worked with a smile on my face because I got it out of the way

[Jaime and Melvin 0]

It all went great when I went back Jamie in and out really quick, joked around with the young officer. Yes the prices are different for all states. I think NSW is one of the most expensive. Lucky you $131

I went to to work straight after and worked with a smile on my face because I got it out of the way

That is awesome Candice! Now you can concentrate on the next thing, you're nearly there!

[Jaime and Melvin 0]

Actually, I think I wouldn't mind paying the $175 in NSW ... as all us interstaters have to pay for return flights for our bloody Sydney interviews LMAO

[James&Candice 3]

oh yeah that would suck. My parents live just west of syd so I will be having a little visit when I go for the interview.

OMG that is just a beautiful PIC of your little guy. He is adorable.

[alex and astrid 38]

OK so I decided to go ahead and get my police check done early. I am so glad I have. Just remember that, just because they are police officers doesn't mean they know everything. I had the form filled out and took the instructions with me, with the bits relevant highlighted like the cost $175 and that I needed the name date of birth and fingerprint check. He still got it wrong.

After trying all afternoon yesterday ringing them to see if it was a good time to come in for it (4 times they said come back at a later time and that was just that day) I decided to just go in. I expected for there to be no officers in there by the way they keep carrying on, on the phone. There was police officers everywhere.

AnyWho he did it wrong he only did the date of birth and name check even though I said the word fingerprint twice. It wasn't until I questioned him again and he looked at the form number on the instrustions 799 that he got a clue. I didn't want to have to tell a POLICE OFFICER that he was wrong, thankgod the lightbolb went off in his head. So he had to write 2 reciepts numbers on the form and to top it off I couldn't get my prints taken cause there was "prisoners" there. Id have to say I would have found it intimidating. But thinking about it now I should have just said stuff them I'll do the check.

Anyway I have to go back at 6pm to get the prints done. I assume I will have to explain everything to the officer I get then too. Almost got it checked off the list. going to my GP on friday to get the blood test.

GGGGR I just knew I'd have a problem. Ok I'v finished my rant. Time for some lunch

Ugh yeah it's a tad frustrating when you are dealing with people in power and you know more about the process than they do! The receptionist at my cop shop had no idea what I was asking for and tired to give me a bum steer but the officer I got was great.

Police check in Queensland was $147...I don't get why it isn't the same price everywhere, seeing as it's a NATIONAL police check, not a individual state one!

[James&Candice 3]

nothing seems to be the same price anywhere. kinda odd really.

[Jaime and Melvin 0]

Yeah I agree Astrid, should be the same price everywhere grrr.

Thanks Candice Sick little bub at the moment, but he's on the mend

Edited March 3, 2010 by jaimemcd

[TerriandEric 4]

Ugh yeah it's a tad frustrating when you are dealing with people in power and you know more about the process than they do!

I am hearing you on that one. The Police Station at Campbelltown had NO IDEA what I needed to do. I was telling them, ok I need my fingerprints taken, yes tick that box, yes it is for a visa purpose...my mother sat there laughing.

I do agree that it sucks that there is no uniformity in the pricings from state to state. Also some blood tests or jabs we need if you do through your GP you may be lucky to have them bulk billed -- others not so lucky. I guess it all balances out in the wash especially considering that some of us have to book flights & accommodation to travel to Sydney for interview.

I am still sitting where we have been for the last 5 days on Igor's list, waiting for someone somewhere to pick up our file & rubber stamp it....instead of having inter office soccer matches LOL

[Deb+Steve 13]

Hey ladies - any news yet?? Any new NOA2's floating around??