LAND DOWNUNDER

[Moonie 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

I don't know I suppose I pulled it from the sky

[hampster 0]

Lol @ Moonie

Nice Icons

Found this site for Aussie Recipes lol

http://www.aussiecooking.com.au/

Newest Recipes

Fresh Persimmon Cheese Plate

Persimmon Thai Beef Salad

Gazpacho

Chicken Salad with Basil Vinaigrette

Pork with Oregano

Basil Pesto

Apple Coffee Cake

Shepherd''s Pie

Newest Articles

Creating a Healthy Easter Basket

The Gentle Art of Poaching

Choosing the Right Kitchen Cutlery

Learn about Chardonnay Wine

Once-A-Month Cooking

Creating a Healthy Easter Basket

Enjoy

Paul

Newest Links

[patriciaofoz 0]

hampster: I'm a few suburbs away from you, Hallett Cove

Kath: Thanks & I hope our journey is fast too! I'm quite an impatient person, I hope the Govt. won't make me wait for many agonising months!

David A.: Yay for Adelaide girls! Your wife actually looks like one of my best friends!

I don't have any specific questions just as yet because we are yet to hear back from the Sydney Consulate about our #1 Question: whether we'd be valid to go for a DCF!?!?! The answer to that question will basically be the driving force as to which patch of this journey we will have to take. Zach (my fiance) seems to think we'll be all good for a DCF because he has lived here as a student for 3 1/2 years. Perhaps that's just his optimism - let's hope he's right!

I love all the Aussie recipes - I better start learning how to make Pavlova without using one of those mixes that comes in the egg-shaped case

[hampster 0]

patriciaofoz.. Cool Hallet Cove

What I miss about Glenelg is no more Lambspit Yiros's

Gald you liked the Aussie Recipes I posted...

Have to have some Culture From the Adelaide People..

Unlike those Unruly Melbournites / Canberraites

Welcome to the Nuthouse Patriciaofoz

Cheers

Paul

[Rings 10]

Hi guys! How is everyone doing? I was wondering if any of you knew if I would get another NOA when the petition arrives at the CSC. I am worried they may not have gotten it or something. I am so paranoid about this. lol

[hampster 0]

Hi Rings

Well I can only go by our NorthernGirl-Cheryl my Wifee and My Timeline..

as follows

05-13-2006 Marriage

I-130 Process

06-14-2006 mailed to VSC

06-16-2006 Received by Service Center

06-20-2006 NOA1

06-24-2006 Touched (on a Saturday?)

07-18-2006 Notice of transfer of petition from Vermont to California.

07-20-2006 Touched - Prolly a kiss goodbye from Vermont.

07-25-2006 Receipt Notice from CSC via email.

07-26-2006 Touched

07-27-2006 Touched

07-28-2006 Touched

08-21-2006 *APPROVED*

09-05-2006 Petition received by NVC

Basicaly took 68 days from filing I-130 TILL OUR NOA2.

SO give it a couple weeks and by then you should recieve your NOA2.

Also depends on Public Holidays and Government Holidays to take into account.

But wishing and hoping that it wil come sooner for you as well

Cheers

Paul

[Rings 10]

Awe thank you so much Paul *hugs* I am just missing David so very much that it seems like an enternity without him. I know that the good things come to those who wait and that patience is a virtue, but it still freaking sucks big blue monkey balls! haha that's not very appropriate now is it lol

Edited March 30, 2007 by Rings

[hampster 0]

Rings appropriate for this Forum Yeppers

And you are welcome to ask any question re the "journey",

I may be old but i am also sorta kinda wise lol...

waits for a spesh comment from lyndel or kath or pris lol

If I can help in anyway information wise I will.

works out that from day of sending off our I-130,

Till my Interview date in Sydney for our CR1 Visa = 303 days .

So my thoughts to you and everyone else waiting on their approvals,

Patience Grasshopper Patience ...

If you can snatch this pebble from my hand ...

Cheers

Paul B)

[Kath 0]

Have to have some Culture From the Adelaide People..

Unlike those Unruly Melbournites / Canberraites

Ok gunna bite here hammy...where do I start mate...ohhhhh why bother the Melbourians know were more cultured than the Adelaideians!!!! hehehehe

MELBOURIANS: ME...SEREN'S FIANCE...GIRLFROMOZ...CAROLINE'S HUBBY....PRIS....ITAN100

if i have missed any please forgive me the ole noggin is working at full compasity lol

tamazo

yw with the help mate anytime...glad you got through to the embassey about the luggage..you will be right mate..

hey girlfromoz so pleased your recovering nicely and i can just imagine how that chocy tasted yummmo lol...know the feeling about packing..take all ya photo's out of their frames mate you can always reframe them here..i left a hell of a lot back home...i dont even know whats in my mums garage...im too scared to ask hehehe...but i tell ya when we go back im gunna be packin not much going and bringing back heaps lol...hope ya fiance is able to pick ya shoes at the post office for ya...good luck on the rest of the packing i dont envy ya...i have an orientation apointment with the hosp on the 10th april ...and will be working in the pharmacy department...im not worried that im not getting paid for it .. i look at it as experience within the community and learn how things work over here...

rings how you doing...hope your NOA2 comes around quickly for ya..

patricia maaaaaaaaaate if you havent got patience now you will gain it through this process....we had a pretty fast process our only delay was me being here (state side) when my packet 3 arrived..then getting a april interview and we werent ready lol..so we rescheduled for june when robbie went over to get me lol...and our AOS was fast too got transferred to CSC and got approved with no interview in 38 days...so we were very lucky all in all..now if i could be so lucky in getting a job..

take care all

kath

[Elle 0]

I think Lunamel was from Melb too.

Any other Sydneysiders apart from myself, aussiewench and Vik from Parra?? We are outnumbered here heehee. I guess the Melbourians have to win at something right

Kath - any work experience is good experience! Will give you a chance to network too!

Lyndel - glad ur recovery is going well!

Hammy - no worries about the list!

HI to everyone!

I hope the DCF lowers their residency requirements if not revert it back to where the USC can be a visitor. I believe at the moment unless you re a permanent resident, you cannot apply for DCF. "To demonstrate residency in a consular district, American Citizen petitioners must be able to show that they have permission to reside in the consular district and that they have been doing so continuously for at least six months before filing the petition. Individuals who are in the country on a temporary status, such as student or tourist, would not be considered to meet the residency standard."

I hope it has changed since that media release. I mean the new change is to run background check on USC right -- so now they have a process for this. Why cant the USC just fly in from abroad like before. I hope it makes a comeback!!

[Kath 0]

hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii there elle...how you doing ....damm you have been waiting ages for your approvals to come through..and ya havent had a touch since september...have you emailed them to see if they are using your petition for a coaster lol...email them mate to find out ....

damm the battle of the states...ya either loves us or ya dont hehehe...to me deep down all the states are great..although i did hate the city of sydney the surrounding suburbs i have been to are nice..lol...

kath

[Elle 0]

hiiiiiiiii kath! Yeah I need to update my sig and I've emailed hubby the withdrawal letter for him to sign and send to Vermont, thanks for that Vermont link BTW

hahaha @ coasters. They might as well. I mean its been over 6 months!!! I think I know where I went wrong with that petition though...I went craaaaaazy with evidence -- things I shoulda put together during the interview stage. But anyways, live and learn. Thank God we got through DCF. I'm still pinching myself, I mean I dont leave until late June...and between now and then who really knows what will happen. Been bitten a few times in this process, so a bit scared they will take the IR1 visa from us

7 more weeks till hubby visits!!!

Pris - did you get your NOA1 yet?? Are you planning to apply for a K3 "just in case"? I really hope Sydney Consulate changes the residency requirements so you and hubby can apply!!

hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii there elle...how you doing ....damm you have been waiting ages for your approvals to come through..and ya havent had a touch since september...have you emailed them to see if they are using your petition for a coaster lol...email them mate to find out ....

damm the battle of the states...ya either loves us or ya dont hehehe...to me deep down all the states are great..although i did hate the city of sydney the surrounding suburbs i have been to are nice..lol...

kath

[patriciaofoz 0]

patricia maaaaaaaaaate if you havent got patience now you will gain it through this process....we had a pretty fast process our only delay was me being here (state side) when my packet 3 arrived..then getting a april interview and we werent ready lol..so we rescheduled for june when robbie went over to get me lol...and our AOS was fast too got transferred to CSC and got approved with no interview in 38 days...so we were very lucky all in all..now if i could be so lucky in getting a job..

Can I have some of your luck, Kath? YOu were very lucky!

As for jobs, we're looking at that avenue too but we can't rely on me scoring a job so quickly. Zach's Mom is trying to line something up for me, but I read that for a working visa I have sign something saying that I don't intend to live in the US permanently & the maximum of a work visa is 2 years. Unfortunately that's not gonna work for us. Zach's PhD will go for 6 years & by that time I'm sure we'll have kids & be settled - I'd rather stay put.

I think the Sydney folks are stuck with how to answer Zach's question as they still haven't gotten back to us. Or are they just notorious for being slow-ish in responding? What are other member's experience with them?

Finally, I guess this is more of a question relating to us needing a Plan B in case the DCF falls through: is anyone considering making their USC other halves come to Australia & gain the "at least 6 month resident status" so that they can go for DCF? I'm sure it's not easy just applying for 'residency status' here to Australia.

Boy, this is doing my head in. I should stop thinking about it! Well, have a good Saturday everyone. I've got a 3 hour flight to Adelaide (from Perth) this morning. I hope they have a good movie on the plane!

Edited March 31, 2007 by patriciaofoz

[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

Adelaidian Here

Cheers

Paul

[Poi_n_J 0]

Pris - did you get your NOA1 yet?? Are you planning to apply for a K3 "just in case"? I really hope Sydney Consulate changes the residency requirements so you and hubby can apply!!

Heya Elle, No we never received our NOA1 but we know which date it was 'sent' and that's all that matters, according to others on this site who never recieved theirs either and from CSC too so Rings I wouldn't be to stressed about receiving one. J is still trying to get through to someone about checking they have our right address just in case but after hearing from other's who's jouney continued anyhow I'm not too concerned. No, I won't bother with K-3 as I have J here with me till July and then he flys back which if I won tattslotto I'd go for the trip and come back but just not feasible at this rate. My works' going well so I may as well sit this out to the end which I'm fearing by reading other's timeline may be as late as Christmas but my fingers are crossed. Thanks for asking and yes definitely if things change between now and July for DCF we will go for that.

Hmm..Paul the Wise..lol.. that aussie burger looks great, minus the cheese for me but where's the beetroot..??? lol.

Big blue monkey balls ........haha love that..