I finally have got the funds together for my plane ticket and I'm going to be leaving for the States in about 3 weeks (haven't booked the flight yet though) where I will be staying with my girlfriend whom I've been with for over 5 years. We actually "met" on the net eight years ago and have been travelling backwards and forwards between the U.S. and Australia for, as I said, about five years, every six months or so. So I can tell you that both net relationships and long distance relationships CAN work! Not to mention that we have a height difference (she's quite a bit taller) - that can work, too!

Well anyway, there comes a time when this constant travelling becomes pretty expensive obviously and we're pretty tired of not being together for such long periods too (longest we have been apart is six months - pretty long!) so we're going to decide this time around whether or not we want to get married. And we're both pretty sure we don't want to be apart anymore, so the chances we will get married are pretty high!

Anyway, I thought I'd show that off that with all of you as jonylawson created a similar thread which gave me the idea. Although I haven't looked into the logistics of how to go about being married to a U.S. citizen yet, I'm pretty optimistic things will go great!



Here's a pic of both of us together last year in West Head, Sydney:



Anyone else doing something kinda big soon? Anyone moving, etc?

hey that's cool! I'm just wondering though - have you guys spent enough time together in one go to know that you won't kill each other if you move in?

Natsume said:

heheh, yes....I lived in the U.S. for a year two years ago and she lived in Australia for a year last year. We get along like a house on fire.

I've done too many big things in the past, think I might have to chill for a while...just a little while.

mrdespues said:

okay good! I was just wondering how much time you actually got to spend together with all the visiting back and forth. long distance relationships suuuuuck.

oh, and look into getting a visa to be able to live and work in the US as early as you can. The US is rather tightfisted when it comes to giving them out.

Natsume said:

Just get married.

I am sure Tracy and Ian love to read this story!

J0eyC0c0 said:

exactly. I'm not applying for a visa and you need a special skill anyway to work in the U.S. The U.S. sucks arse with the visa thing, been there, done that....I'm just going to get married this time and thwart the system.


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[This message was edited Mon Jul 19 3:02:26 2004 by mrdespues]

gooeythehamster said:

how come? and who's tracy? and are we talking about the same (orger) Ian?

mrdespues said:

Erm. No.

We are talking about Diva. You might know her. Being fellow Ozzies n all.

And Ian is her bf. Her GORGEOUS bf. From the US. See the link?

mrdespues said:

You can say FUCK the system if you want to...

gooeythehamster said:

heheh, FUCK the system.



Feels good.

mrdespues said:

Get married before your tourist visa expires and then file for permanent residency within 180 days after your tourist visa has expired. When you file for residency you get your work permit the same day (unless you're wanted by the FBI lol).

Best thing is to get a immigration attorney which will cost you a few bucks, but they'll take care of everything and they'll be present when you have your interview with the INS which makes them go easy on you.

gooeythehamster said:

Yeah, I thought you might be talking about Diva. Yes I do know her a little. Was/is the boyfriend an orger?

So what city/state are you planning to move to?

mrdespues said:

WOW!! Join the club!! Hopefully around February time, we are returning back 2 the USA, from the UK!! Only last week we wrote off 2 the US Embassy here requesting information regarding visas, etc.!!
The thing is, we returned back to the UK, from the USA in October, 2001, and 2 1/2 - 3 years later, we have already had enough of this country!! The endless taxes, the high gas prices, the totally UNprofessional way of doing things here!! The thing is, yes, we do get loads of benefits more than we do in the USA, but then they take it all back in taxes!!
It makes it easier for us 2 keep coming back and forth though, cos my husband is American, but this time we are returning back 2 the USA, for good!!

I could write a book the size of Bill Clintons book on what is wrong with this country!!

mrdespues said:

He was.
We miss him.

J0eyC0c0 said:

thanks for the info. sounds a little scary, but what's gotta be done's gotta be done.




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[This message was edited Mon Jul 19 3:09:53 2004 by mrdespues]

DavidEye said:

Portland, Oregon.

gooeythehamster said:

Moonbeam, right?

What happened to him?

Gold319 said:

hey, there are things wrong with EVERY country....the U.S. has plenty of things wrong with it, just like the U.K....but I guess you just gotta find your own little place in the world and make the best of it!

mrdespues said:

He got very tired of this side and left.
I am sure he still peeks in every now andthen though.

mrdespues said:

Nah, it's not that bad when you hire an attorney. Only time you have to actually talk to the INS yourself is for the interview and they'll prepare you for that. You'll know exactly what to say and what not.

J0eyC0c0 said:

I've never had to deal with anything like this in my life (I'm only 25) so yeah, it's a big step, but thanks for the info...I'm very wary of the U.S. system being a pain in the arse and I'm quite worried about the health system which I know to be terrible in comparison to Australia, where I get support for a disability I have. I know that the U.S. offers no such help for people with disabilities....but I'll find a way, somehow.

mrdespues said:

At least in the USA, u get your taxes refunded 2 u EVERY YEAR without fail!! Over here in the UK, u would b lucky if your tax number comes up in your lifetime for a refund!!!

mrdespues said:

Hey, I was 24 when I moved to the US. Depending on the laws in the state you'll be living in there are things you could file for regarding your disability, though I'm not sure when or if permanent residents are eligible for those.

J0eyC0c0 said:

hmmm....where did you move from? and how did you find the change? I've lived in the U.S. for a year before, but this will be more permanent, so I'm expecting I'll have to get used to a lot of new stuff....some I'll like, some I won't....

mrdespues said:

Moved from Holland to Minnesota. If you've lived there for about a year I guess you already know what to expect. IMO it was a pleasant chance for the most part. It's just a pain in the ass when you have to deal with the authorities, they're pretty strict which is something you have to be prepared for. Other than that I like the people and the lifestyle.

Congratulations, mrdespues!

What part of America will you be moving to?

teller said:

read above (Portland, Oregon).



Which, by the way means I'll be seeing Prince there in September!!




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[This message was edited Mon Jul 19 3:41:16 2004 by mrdespues]