Done and Dusted

I submitted my application today, but not without the usual drama that has surrounded since I embarked on this journey.  I met my Aussie just outside my workplace around 9.30am.  We hailed a taxi to the Department of Immigration, stood in line for about 10 minutes, saw someone behind Counter 9, she flipped through the pages, stamped a couple of them and then asked where our pictures were.

I pointed out that my passport-sized photos were in one section and my Aussie's were in another section.  But no, she was referring to the pictures of us together which I did not have.  No where in the 527 pages of checklists and booklets that I have gathered for this application does it say you must have pictures of us both.  I, of course, point this out to which the woman at the counter agrees, but states that "everyone who turns this application in always has them" and assures me that if I want to add them in, I can send them via Post (snail mail).

So we turn to leave and I'm already in tears because once again, another speed bump when all I wished for an express lane or even just a yellow light.  My Aussie comforts me and we decide that once we recieve our confirmation and are assigned a case manager, we'll send through the photos.  So we cab it back to our respective offices.

I feel just OK but what can you do.  So I'm back at the office and putting my purse away when I look in to grab my cell phone and see a couple of key forms (medical check and criminal background check) that were supposed to be submitted with my entire application packet.  I'm literally sick to my stomach now as I call my Aussie in tears again.  But bless him for being able to make me feel better no matter what.  He points out that now we can print out some pics of us together and submit with the other missing forms and just get it all off our plate at one time. 

So I print out the photos and hail another cab, race back to Immigration, turn it in to a different person at a different counter who assures me it will be added to my existing application package and then I'm back off to work again.  Thank goodness my manager is so understanding of all of this drama.  And my Aussie.

They've already charged our credit card though so processing must have begun.  Let's just hope that my application doesn't become some schleps coaster.  I'll keep you posted as I follow up.