July 13, 1998: Scott posts the I-129F, G325A biographical data forms for both of us, supporting documents and proof of relationship to the Vermont Sevice Center via registered, certified mail

July 16, 1998: I go to the Angas St Police Station in Adelaide and fill out a national police clearance application and get a fingerprints check (note:the police clearance is free if you have a health care card but the fingerprint check is $39.75 regardless)

July 22nd, 1998: Scott receives certified mail receipt saying petition has been signed for as having been received at the Vermont Service Center (dated 15th of July)

July 23rd, 1998: I get back police clearance stating I'm not wanted by the police of Australia *grin*

July 24th, 1998: Notice of Action received by Scott (dated July 15th) Note: Scott also calls automated line where it says application received on the 20th and applications currently take 15 to 21 days to process

August 4th, 1998: Scott calls the INS (and spends half an hour on hold waiting for someone to talk to him) to find out our application status and is told it should be approved today and he should receive the notice in the next few days

August 5th, 1998: Scott calls the automated line as usual and this time the message says the petition has been approved and will be sent via cable, telephone or fax to the foreign consulate. Yay!!!!

August 8th, 1998: Notice of Approval received by Scott (saying our petition was indeed approved on the 4th) Yippee!!!!

August 10th, 1998: I call the Sydney consulate to find out whether they have received the approval cable and yes, it has arrived *s* The lady tells me the package should be sent out this week (it had better!)

August 14th, 1998: My much anticipated package arrives in the mail from Sydney. I go to the medical centre, book my medical for next Wednesday and get my x-ray and blood test done :) Also I immediately filled out and posted back Form OF-230 I, as they request.

August 19th, 1998: Had my medical which was no big deal. Also I posted off my checklist along with a cover letter explaining my desire to leave on the 14th of September. I used the Express Post service from the post office so the consulate will receive it tomorrow.

August 31st, 1998: After calling the consulate in the morning and finding out my interview had been scheduled (see long timeline) I got the letter as well stating my interview has been set for the 9th, so now I can go and pay for my flight tomorrow for the 14th, yay!!!!

September 9th, 1998: Success! After a very quick interview my visa was approved and I was told to come back after 2.30pm to pick it up. I was a VERY ecstatically happy woman when I picked up the visa!

The whole process from filing the petition to receiving approval took 58 days :)

September 15th, 1998: I arrive back in Pittsburgh to the waiting arms of my sweetheart Scott.

September 18th, 1998: I get my temporary EAD card and apply for a Social Security number without any problems.

November 21st, 1998: Scott and I get married!!!!

December 2nd, 1998: Scott and I file my Adjustment of Status papers.

April 1999: Watch this space for our Adjustment of Status interview!