It has taken me a while to write again, I know. It's all been about this:
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| The Love File.
For those who are unfamiliar with the infamous 'Love File', it is a declaration of mine and Dave's love - in the form of paper evidence, receipts, leases, bank statements and anything that has both our name on it. Officially known as Temporary Onshore Partner Visa Subclass 820.
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It actually like having another full time job. I have spent everynight of the last few weeks scanning everything in, and now creating a slick document of all our evidence, annotated with glorious stories of 'How we go food shopping together at Iceland' etc etc.
And, for the second time since arriving in Australia, I had to pee in a cup.
I have just come back from my Visa Medical, where they literally poke and prod you, take your blood, xray your chest and order you around like you are one of many other 'cattle' applicants trying to stay longer in Australia.
It was horrible, degrading and everyone there clearly hates their job and foreigners. And annoyingly, I have to go back again this week for more fun. The staff were just so rude, the place was so busy, you are really just a number in a sea of people from all over the world - and you can tell everyone was just frustrated with having to speak slowly, clearly and loudly to everyone for whom English isn't their first language.
And with more bad news which will effect our application yesterday - things are at an all time stress-high, as we were supposed to lodge our application next week.
Just have to hold onto the thought that when me and Dave are finally allowed to live and work in the same country for more than 6 months together - it will be worth it. Like we are asking for so much.
Anyways, moan over.
Some good stuff - we had an awesome Christmas in July! For those who were confused by the pictures on Facebook - in an expat thing were it feels more like the UK winter, ie its a bit grey and coldish, so we celebrate an English style Christmas!
We cooked an epic roast dinner with all the trimmings for 7 of our friends, with deserts, cheeses and mulled wine - yum yum! And lots of games for good measure!
Last weekend we went to Dave's nephews 6th birthday party at McDonalds. 15 screaming, sugar fuelled kid with a love of Spiderman and Batman made for an interesting morning!
But check out this Kids cool hair:
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| Spider-tastic! |
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| Dave and the Birthday Boy Ryan! |
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| The Vanderbyls - Leanne, Matty, Ryan and Michael |
And finally (if you made it to the end!) A HUGE THANK YOU to Miss Joanne Gold who was the first person to get her Stat Dec via post to us!! And of course for the lovely additional post and kind words. A prize will be on its way to you shortly!!
And a massive thank you to my lovely mummy for all her hard work for me and getting me everything I need and all in good time! You're a superstar!! xx
And thank you Laura Bowman for her lovely Parisian postcard!!
I love and miss you all lots - its been a strange, long road but i think we're getting there (almost a That 70s Show quote!).
Right, should go and practise my ballet for tomorrow!
Love love love to all, enjoy the opening ceremony of the Olympics - we're getting up at 5am Saturday to enjoy it too!
Hev xxxxxx
It sounds horrible what you have to go through,but it will be worth it in the end at least the Australian government know that you are serious about settling there, hope you had all the forms that you needed and got our Stat Dec ok wasn`t sure what to write but I hope that it was ok, love and miss you loads skype soon xxxxmum
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