November, 2005

Had my ‘interview’ at the US Consulate today. Was a rather simple process after getting through all the security. I got there early and headed to the 10th floor. Out of the lift there were signs firecting me where to go. I ended up in a little room with about 20+ other people. We were all lined up and one by one got scanned by a hand metal detector and our stuff was searched. I only had a folder with papers so it was easy.

After i got the all clear, i continued up to the US Consulate on the 50 something floor. I was behind a family that had small children and their security check took ages. They had to drink and eat a bit of all the food to prove it wasnt harmful, every bag was searched completely and each person was metal checked again.

Once through the second security area, i went inside and grabbed a ticket. From here the process was straight forward and painless. My number gets called, i move to the window, hand over my visa forms, get told to sit back down, my number comes up again, i go to another window, get asked a few questions, get told to sit down, number called again, go up to the cashier window, pay fee, done.

Tomorrow i can go pick my passport up between 3:30pm and 4:00pm – easy

The toughest bit of it all is the amount of public transport needed to get into the US Consulate in the city.

Ive been allocated a position, forms have been completed, forms have been faxed, more forms completed, more forms faxed, numerous emails…. The process is almost over

I recieved the ‘final’ fedex offer package in the mail late last week. Ive read over it a few times, signed the necessary dotted lines and have it all bundled together with the original VISA forms. Ive checked and rechecked it, but as always ive got the feeling im either missing something or will send something im not meant to. Just to be safe ive photcopied everything.

My interview at the US Consulate is on the 30th November in Sydney. Im still in Rocky at the moment but will be driving home to Inverell later this week. My cousin is going to be at Great Keppel Island and will be driving back home with me which should be fun. Gives me someone to talk to on the long drive.

But yeah, Interview on the 30th, which is apparently where they yay/nay the visa. Hopefully everything goes smooth and ill be flying out sometime soon after that.

Our apartment is organised and ready to go. As yet none of us know exactly when will be arriving, it all depends on the US Consulate interviews.

Im exicted though, although i dont tend to really show it. Little nervous as well with the occaisional ‘how the heck did i end up with an internship’ and ‘do i know enough’ etc etc etc. Im sure everything will be fine, and i cant wait to start working there. Should be a great time.

Guess ill have to find out the details about blogging aboutt he experience, Apple doesnt seem to favour employee blogs so maybe i wont be able to blog about it. hrmmm Something to find out