Does anyone know why I’m feeling weirdly good about things this evening?
Just to update anyone who actually reads this blog (beyond Joni and me), she’s now lodged her fiancée visa application with the Australian embassy in Washington. Depressingly the current turnaround time on her visa is about 4 months, which is beyond the wedding date AND she’s now finished her job. Still, she seems pretty happy nonetheless.
I’ve had my own visa interview at the US Consulate in Melbourne this morning. It’s a curiously unremarkable building at 553 St Kilda Road, Melbourne – the only way you’d know it IS the US Consulate is a discreetly flown stars-and-stripes outside alongside the Australian flag. I noticed a couple of things while going through the process. One was the pictures of W, Cheney and Condi on the wall facing the entry (I duly genuflected and looked daggers at those who winced). The other was that American public servants, even when they’re giving you bad news, are EXTREMELY polite. Seriously, I can’t stress that enough. The chap on the desk at the counter I went to patiently explained why he couldn’t issue a visa today but if I could send in x, y and z, he could do so. Sorry, he couldn’t issue a 5 year visa (which was probably a bit optimistic on my part anyway). His exact words were that it’s a wonderful thing to have an American spouse. However, he explained that they’d be a little reluctant I’d do a runner once in the US and try to stay.
All of which only validates my decision to get a visa rather than rely on the Visa Waiver Program – based on today I suspect if I’d rocked up at the immigration counter at LA without a visa, I’d be a certainty for finding myself on the next flight back to Sydney. Which could really place a crimp in the wedding!
So, here we are: Joni doesn’t have a visa to migrate to Australia yet. I don’t have a visa to travel to the USA. I don’t have a flight booked to go over. I haven’t sorted out leave with my boss. My parents haven’t sorted their flights, and my Dad still doesn’t have a passport. And the wedding’s in 8 weeks, 5 days.
And yet, I feel happy.
It can only be love.
Just to update anyone who actually reads this blog (beyond Joni and me), she’s now lodged her fiancée visa application with the Australian embassy in Washington. Depressingly the current turnaround time on her visa is about 4 months, which is beyond the wedding date AND she’s now finished her job. Still, she seems pretty happy nonetheless.
I’ve had my own visa interview at the US Consulate in Melbourne this morning. It’s a curiously unremarkable building at 553 St Kilda Road, Melbourne – the only way you’d know it IS the US Consulate is a discreetly flown stars-and-stripes outside alongside the Australian flag. I noticed a couple of things while going through the process. One was the pictures of W, Cheney and Condi on the wall facing the entry (I duly genuflected and looked daggers at those who winced). The other was that American public servants, even when they’re giving you bad news, are EXTREMELY polite. Seriously, I can’t stress that enough. The chap on the desk at the counter I went to patiently explained why he couldn’t issue a visa today but if I could send in x, y and z, he could do so. Sorry, he couldn’t issue a 5 year visa (which was probably a bit optimistic on my part anyway). His exact words were that it’s a wonderful thing to have an American spouse. However, he explained that they’d be a little reluctant I’d do a runner once in the US and try to stay.
All of which only validates my decision to get a visa rather than rely on the Visa Waiver Program – based on today I suspect if I’d rocked up at the immigration counter at LA without a visa, I’d be a certainty for finding myself on the next flight back to Sydney. Which could really place a crimp in the wedding!
So, here we are: Joni doesn’t have a visa to migrate to Australia yet. I don’t have a visa to travel to the USA. I don’t have a flight booked to go over. I haven’t sorted out leave with my boss. My parents haven’t sorted their flights, and my Dad still doesn’t have a passport. And the wedding’s in 8 weeks, 5 days.
And yet, I feel happy.
It can only be love.
Labels: Oddly happy tonight...
posted by Joni and Stephen | 4:11 AM
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