LAND DOWNUNDER

[Kath 0]

hi tamzo

well we did our interview last june...we went from the airport to the hotel which was a 5 min walk away from the embassey...

we took a taxi and it was around 15mins or so drive...and cost around 50 dollars...

now the Martin place railway station is directly infront of the embassey....on our return home to melbourne we caught the train and but it wasnt from martin place..and that took us...about 15 mins...if you would like me to look up the time tables for you i know where to look cos me being padantic sort out all kinda transport info before i left melb...just give us a yell if ya want any info...

as for your luggage..are you staying at a hotel...and what time is your appointment...maybe leave it at the airport or the station might have lockers for the day...or you could ask one of the shops to take care of them for a few hours... offer them something for the inconvience...ohh by the way hampster is having his interview on the day after yours...

good luck

kath

[Kath 0]

train map of sydney look for domestic terminal and martin place...from the below website you will be able to find train time tables too

sydney train routes

you have to get off at central and catch another train to martin place...i think thats why we walked from martin place to central so we didnt have to change trains....

at the sydney airport you have to go to the ground floor .....then go down the escalators to go to the underground train station...

hope that helps..we ended up taking the taxi because we had so much luggage because we were staying the weekend with my daughter in newcastle and brought quite a few things for her from my house...

take care

kath

[Tamzo27 0]

Thanks for that Kath..I called a few cab companies to check the price and they said it should be around 30 bucks??? I hope this is true..I just feel like taking a taxi is much easier...my interview time is at 8am...I am not staying at a hotel, but at a friend...and she is unable to pick me up from the airport..and there wont be anytime for her to come and get my luggage from me..I may have to ask a store to look after it for me? Starting to stress a little....

[Tamzo27 0]

Thanks so much Kath!! You really are the true definition of a savour! How long will it take to get there? 15 mins you said??

[Kath 0]

tam

you will have plenty of time if your flight arrives at 6am ... if the shops arent open maybe go down the steps to the martin place station and see if there is any lockers for your luggage...otherwise you will have to take all your luggage into the embassey and get it checked by the scanner or get them to keep it there for you...you just sign it in be given a ticket and collect it afterwards on the way oout...

DON'T STRESS IT WILL ALL WORK OUT MATE...

kath...

Edited March 29, 2007 by Kath

[Moonie 0]

Today was another pisser day. The temp job that I have worked at for 6 months came to an end today. So much ####### went on at this job I am somewhat relieved. I sent off the paperwork to my hunny yesterday hopefully it shouldn't effect the rest of our paperwork I have 2 interviews tomorrow we will see how that goes.

I made over the 125% poverty and I also own a home so I hope that is enough for that. My sweetie is moving out of his apartment next week we really can't have any more snap poos. It is time to get this show on the road.

[hampster 0]

tam

you will have plenty of time if your flight arrives at 6am ... if the shops arent open maybe go down the steps to the martin place station and see if there is any lockers for your luggage...otherwise you will have to take all your luggage into the embassey and get it checked by the scanner or get them to keep it there for you...you just sign it in be given a ticket and collect it afterwards on the way oout...

DON'T STRESS IT WILL ALL WORK OUT MATE...

kath...

And I thought I was Panicing well still am lol.

Tamzo22 it's all good eh

Shame my flight into Sydney on the 12th April isn't earlier,

as I arrive 8.40am that Morning for my Interview,

that is on Friday 13th April @ 10.00am.

All I am taking with me is a Garment Bag ( Suit bag ),

and a small Backpack...

So wishing you all the best on your Interview.

I am staying a kilometre from the Consulate.. AARONS in Haymarket.

Cheap and close and cheaper than the TraveLLodge..

OK ..Moonie .. cheer up your calculations for poverty line is great.

you are over and above what they are looking for

Kath .. thanks for the train info sounds like a winner to me might even try it myself..

If I get lost i got 24 hours to get to Consulate lol ..

Poi_n_J... good luck with your Medical and don't worry it's all good

Just remember as well...

If your local Doctor takes Blood for the blood test for medical..

remember to have him sign and date every page of the results.

And as well get him to do a letter ( on his letterhead),

stating that the said results are from you for your USA MEDICAL.

When you recieve the brown envelope from the Consulate,

with all the information and your Interview date..

Look carefully at the medical paperwork..

there is a page where the USA Doctor signs, and the Xray Tech signs,

and the person taking the blood signs as well.

If your local Doctor is taking the blood remember to have him/her sign,'

and date it for when the blood was taken.

He /She needs to sign and date it as well

as put his credentials next to his signature.. .

Hope that helps.

Ok Cheers

Paul

[CarolineM 0]

GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE WITH INTERVIEWS COMING UP

[hampster 0]

Thanks Caroline

[Kath 0]

hi ya all

below are some links for out of sydney people going for their interviews...

first link is where you can plan your trip from the airport by train bus or walk you choose...

plan your day trip in sydney

next link is the results you might find...i chose train service and entered hampsters approx time arrival at the station..

results --from domestic airport to martin place station

if you would like me to email you some pics of the embassey so you know what to look for i will glady do so just give me a hoy...

good luck in finding the best route for you..oh and a train ticket from airport to martin place is $12.20 one way...

and i know i miss calculated the time of how long ...ya gotta understand this was last june and we have slept since then..but it didnt seem a half hour train journey to us lol...please forgive me im going senile in my old age hehehe

take care

kath

[Moonie 0]

What Hampster???

No eating???

[Tamzo27 0]

Thanks Kath and hampster..I think I might take a taxi to the consulate from the airport...as I don't want to be rushed for time..I called the consulate yesterday in Syd and they confirmed what you said Kath..I can can leave my luggage at security checkpoint..which is a great relief!!

Hampster- in reagrd to your advice about the medical..I just got that page signed by the doctor,x-ray physician and the person who took my bloods..they didnt write their credentials/date it..as it just said it needed their signature. I hope this is still ok??

[hampster 0]

MooniePosted Today, 08:35 AM What Hampster???

No eating???

Hmm Moonie.. whatever ya smoking..lol share lmao

what was the eating comment about lol

tamzo22.. ok all signws by all 3 good,

just I was Pedantic about my Doctor that took blood samples,

from me signed dated and dotted his i's and crossed his T's lol.

good luck with your interview,

when you haqving yours I be circling over Sydney waiting to land,

at 8.30am thursday 12th lol.

cheers all

Paul

[girlfrmoz 1]

Welcome to the new VJ'ers in here!!

It's getting a but squashy can everyone move over...jeeeze!

Hey Kath, have you heard about the volunteer work yet? Yep, I'm still on the mushy foods but getting better. Had choccy today was so so so so good! No mean comments Hammy! I'm watching you! oh and thanks for posting the lamington spongecake recipe...now I want some!

Seren, I know Forest Rd well. I miss Knox and Melbourne!!! And as for packing..grrrr...I am so so sick of it! I sent the shoes, was 8kg and cost $125 to send air mail...not bad I think saved me excess luggage costs. It will be hard to go without for 2 weeks but I have 3 pairs here still. The packing is going badly , cause I keep procrastinating, its sorting out what personal things you want to keep, like ornaments and photos, etc. What to ship over, all that stuff is hard and messy. I don't have much left but am now heavily into repacking for shipping.

Jlto...wow another VJer from that area!!

Tamzo you will be fine for your interview, I know it is stressful but it is really a lot easier than you think it will be. I was the same and when I got there it was like...is that it?? lol Good luck!

So how many adelaidians and how many Melbournians?? Show of hands?? I need to know that we Melbournians still have the upper hand!

18days to go until I go!!! Wahoo!

[hampster 0]

No mean comments Hammy! I'm watching you! oh and thanks for posting the lamington spongecake recipe...now I want some! ..

I am never Mean LYNDEL you are a Nasty Pasty hmm food... solid food

recipes for Aussies.. yummy stuff B)

Aussie Pavlova

5 eggs

2 rounded tablespoons sugar

1 level teaspoon cornflour

1/2 teaspoon vinegar

few drops vanilla essence

Beat your eggs whites until they form stiff peaks.

Add the sugar, one teaspoon at a time.

Fold in the corn flour, one teaspoon at a time.

Add vanilla essence and vinegar.

Preheat oven to 150 degrees C / 300 F

Grease a lamington tray, and sprinkle with icing sugar and cornflour.

Pile on meringue mixture. Bake at 150C / 300F for one hour

Reduce temperature to 145 / 290F and bake for a further 30 minutes.

When cool, decorate with fresh fruit, cream or chocolate..... yum!

CHERRY COCONUT SLICE

Base

100g butter, softened

1 1/4 cup castor sugar

1 1/2 cup plain flour

1 1/2 cup self raising flour

Topping

3 FARM PRIDE eggs whites,

OR 1 sachet FARM PRIDE READY WHITES

l/2 cup caster sugar

100g red glace cherries, chopped

1 1/2 cups Coconut

100g dark cooking chocolate, grated

Base

Cream butter and sugar. Add sifted flours and mix well.

Press mixture over the base of an 18 x 28cm slab pan.

Bake in a pre-heated oven 180°C for 10 minutes.

Topping

Whip egg whites until stiff. Gradually add sugar beating well between additions.

Fold in cherries and coconut.

Spread over base and cook for 15 minutes at 180°C. 350F

Remove from oven, sprinkle evenly with grated chocolate then leave to cool.

Cut into squares or fingers to serve.

Makes app. 24 pieces

AUSSIE STYLE HAMBURGER

wholemeal rolls

2 FARM PRIDE eggs

Cheese, grated

Slices of tomato

Onion rings

Lettuce, shredded

Cut tops off each roll two thirds up and put aside.

Remove enough bread from centre to make a hollow.

Break egg into each.

Pierce yolk with a skewer, cover with cheese, tomato and onion.

Replace lid.

Microwave on Medium High for 2 1/2 minutes.

Allow to stand for 1 minute.

Remove lids and top with shredded lettuce.

Serve hot.

Alternately: wrap in foil and cook in an oven at 180°C 350F

for 15 to 20 minutes (or unwrapped for a crusty roll).

CHEESE SOUFFLE

45g butter

3 tablespoons plain flour

1 cup milk

1/2 cup grated Swiss style or cheddar cheese

4 x 55g/61g egg yolks

5 x 55g/61g egg whites

Preheat oven to 200°C.

Butter a 1 litre souffle dish (or 4 individual ones) then sprinkle with finely grated parmesan cheese.

Melt butter in a saucepan.

Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute.

Gradually add milk, stirring constantly until smooth.

Stir until thickened and boiling. Add cheese and stir until melted.

Add egg yolks one at a time. remove from heat.

Whip egg whites until stiff but not dry.

Fold into cheese mixture half at a time.

Pour mixture into prepared souffle dishes.

Run your thumb or spoon around over the top of the mixture

(this will allow souffle to rise evenly).

Place in oven and cook for 25 minutes

(15-20 minutes for individual ones).

Souffle should be golden and well risen.

Serve immediately.

Variation: For a sweet souffle add 1/3 cup of sugar to the milk ,

and vanilla essence or 60g of grated cooking chocolate.

Enjoy hmmmmm hungry now

Cheers

Paul