Permanent Residency

My permanent residency visa came through last week - a great relief and a great surprise, as I had anticipated it taking another 3 months. My temporary visa was for 4 years (this is the one I was put on when I got the job at Newington) and was due to expire in November. 

The permanent residency visa cost $3000 and required a thorough medical include an x-ray and several tests, not to mention police background checks and numerous forms. As a 'sponsored migrant' and temporary resident my application went through much quicker. I'm pleased it's come through before the wedding (it did prompt a round of "the wedding's off as I now don't need an Australian wife" jokes) and it also means I can come and go in the country as I like.

It does not, of course, make me Australian or having any bearing on who I will be supporting in the Ashes. It was, though, a good excuse for a mini-celebration that Gill organised as a bit of a surprise last Friday, with Michael and Sarah coming over for, obviously, a bbq; as well as Anzac biscuits, Tim-Tams and lamingtons. 

The blog will be taking a short break - with a wedding to finalise, a very busy two weeks of work ahead, plus a uni assignment there will be precious little time left to do anything worth putting on the blog, let alone writing a post. Do not fear, it will return - with plenty of photos of the upcoming events.

Suffice to say that all is pretty much in place now, with only a few things left to do.

Spring is well and truly here, so we're hoping the beautiful weather lasts a bit longer.

3 weeks tomorrow and starting to get excited......!