We’ve asked our visa application case officer’s permission for Matty to apply for a tourist visa. Our thinking is that at least then we can spend time together whilst our application is being processed. (It’s miserable to be apart for so long.) It means we’ll be living on a single income, but my salary is enough to support the both of us – particularly as we’re both able to live quite frugally. Matty’s happy to keep himself busy with sport, possibly some volunteering work (there are plenty of organisations who could use extra manpower) and looking after me, so he won’t be bored.

Matty sent an email asking for permission a few weeks ago – then it was simply a case of waiting for a response. However, we then started to get anxious… our anniversary is in November, and it’d be horrible if we weren’t able to get permission for Matty to make it over here in time for that. (We’ve also got friends’ wedding to attend… and just the chance to spend time together would be wonderful!)

We figured our case officer would have to look at our paperwork before deciding to allow Matty a visa, so at least a short delay was expected. But, after waiting a few weeks, we started to debate whether we should ‘ask again’. The last thing either of us want to do is harass the person responsible for making one of the most important decisions in our life… but, we gingerly opted for Matty to make contact again.

So glad we did! Matty got a response from our case officer the next day (I think, hard to tell with time zone differences), asking him to phone her to discuss. She also requested a copy of our original (Spanish) marriage certificate via email – so I’m going to try to send that off tonight. (Why is there never a scanner around when you need one?!)

Back to waiting again… but I’m feeling very positive! If we were to get permission this week, we could apply for the tourist visa immediately. It’s a 1-2 week processing time, so by the time we purchase tickets… Matty could potentially be here by early November! Fingers crossed!!

On the 13th we saw the Harry Potter movie. On the 14th we went to a wedding in the Dandenongs and stayed at a bed and breakfast. on the 15th we woke up in the Dandenongs and had a cooked breakfast then a spa together, then we went to the small towns and looked at the shops. We had lunch in “Miss Marples Tea Room” then went on a nature walk to a lake. It was a lovely time – cant wait for next month!

from the airport tomorrow morning!

WOO HOO! :-D

Last I heard, his trip was going well. (Although, he had to send me an email, as he and his phone parted company in Seattle. Gah! It’s just like the first time I turned up at his place!)

One very-excited sleep to go!

I’m so excited! :-D

Planning for Matty to make a quick visit here in July. Won’t be nearly long enough, but any time is great and I can’t wait to see him!

:-D

We have planned to have a day together on the 12th of each month! Each of us are schedualing ourselves off work on this day to spend together. 12 June is the 1st day for this :) I cant wait!

today.

we slept in, went for a morning walk, visited a cemetary, hung out at his work with a friend, got our eyebrows shaped and watched a movie.

it was a good day :)

we will have to work out a schedual to do things together

I’ve decided to try to get homework and other obligations out of the way before he gets home – we hardly see each other throughout the week because we’re at work and school, and when we do I’m always wrapped up in something – boring.

We’d designated this year as ‘go with the flow’, because we knew a lot of things would be out of our control. (In the hands of bureaucracy, mostly.) This attitude has helped to keep everything in some sort of perspective and, particularly for me, has served as a reminder that there’s always another option.

Doesn’t make it any less sucky, though, when we have to delay our plans to see each other. All rationale and practicalities aside, it’s miserable to be parted for so long. But, I keep reminding myself, and we keep reminding each other, that it’s not for much longer; there is the light at the end of the tunnel.