Yesterday I finally managed to get the paperwork together for the learner's permit in PA. It did involve another trip to Shammy's hospital to get an original document printed out from his employers rather than a scanned copy. So all up the process took 3 and a half hours of which it took me 10 minutes to complete the written test, although this time I was unperturbed ready for anything. So I'm away, and have already booked my practical exam for March. Eek, can't believe I'm taking another one of those, it was one thing I was grateful never to have to do again.
I was smiling big time yesterday as I have finally sorted out a PAID internship over here at a nice family run pharmacy. The money is not great, which is standard as a student again, but it will be good to have some extra latte money, [I can see Shammy frowning already reading this sentence :) ], and more importantly start to clock in some hours and some time out of the house. It will keep me out of mischief for the moment!
With the half marathon we are training for, the runs are starting to get longer with a 4, 6 and 8 miles this week, I'm trying not to think what they will have us running by the end. It is rewarding though seeing your fitness and times improve and we are also starting to think about organising our holiday to Florida in March.
I also found out today that when my visa expires in June I have to actually travel outside of the country to get a new one. So for the moment staying in US is fine, but if I want to travel anywhere else I'll also have to book an appointment at a US embassy so I can get back into the country again. That sounds like more fun and games to me, bring it on :)
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Saturday, February 14, 2009
The struggle of starting from scratch in America
I am finding the experience of moving to America rather challenging to say the least.
My frustration came to ahead this week when I thought its time to get a Pennsylvannian license and get into the mode of things over here. After staying up late studying the learner's book I headed off with Shammy to PENNDOT (as efficient and beuracratic as Qld transport). I thought I had all the documentation required after studying the website and ringing the department the day before. Just to set the scene, I waited outside in a queue, with a nasty wind so that we would be the first few in the door as Shammy was coming off a night shift and should really have already been asleep. He had to be with me though, as none of our utilities bills are in my name so he needed to confirm that yes I resided at our address.
To the counter we go to be greeted by a slightly rude, oversized American (I'm being nice :) ). "Are you a US citizen", "Whats your status!", the answers to those questions produced an A4 document with a complete list of different visas and the document requirements. Now why wasn't that page on the website, damn it. So we had everything except a letter from Shammy's employer's saying when they would be requiring him to work til. The annoying thing being that Shammy couldn't have got his license without that document and hence being a dependant on him logically my license should be granted for the same period as his. This was too logical for the department however and by this stage I was being as silent as possible otherwise I didn't know what I would say. I then asked whether Shammy could at least verify my residence status while he was there, rather than having to return again with me. The answer was a straight out "No", this was all a bit too much for me and the tears started coming. He then discovered that Shammy's license had his previous address on it rather than our current one, and even though there database was updated with the new address - as is a must over here otherwise your license is suspended - because his photo license didn't read that it wasn't good enough. So after paying to have a new license printed out a change suddenly came over our American friend, I'm thinking the tears may have started getting to him and off he went to check if Shammy could validate my residency and sign a document while he was there and what do you know after checking with the supervisor, he could!
So consequently Shammy then had the task of making me feel better which he managed to succeed at after an hour had passed plus a latte was added into the bargain. I think everything had just got to me, the endless documentation for everything and the work situation.
I may have an opening on the work front though as I managed to speak with a pharmacy owner I hadn't phoned before and after meeting her in person she seems keen to let me work some hours at her store. She just needed to consult her husband as it is a family run store and I think they have to work out if its financially viable for them, I'm keeping my fingers crossed though.
Besides all this, I can feel spring is on its way and Shammy and I are both enjoying training for the half-marathon in May and are still chuffed with our 10km run we just did. I am really enjoying spending quality time with Shammy and married life so far is going well so lets hope next time you here from me I have a learner's permit in hand :)
My frustration came to ahead this week when I thought its time to get a Pennsylvannian license and get into the mode of things over here. After staying up late studying the learner's book I headed off with Shammy to PENNDOT (as efficient and beuracratic as Qld transport). I thought I had all the documentation required after studying the website and ringing the department the day before. Just to set the scene, I waited outside in a queue, with a nasty wind so that we would be the first few in the door as Shammy was coming off a night shift and should really have already been asleep. He had to be with me though, as none of our utilities bills are in my name so he needed to confirm that yes I resided at our address.
To the counter we go to be greeted by a slightly rude, oversized American (I'm being nice :) ). "Are you a US citizen", "Whats your status!", the answers to those questions produced an A4 document with a complete list of different visas and the document requirements. Now why wasn't that page on the website, damn it. So we had everything except a letter from Shammy's employer's saying when they would be requiring him to work til. The annoying thing being that Shammy couldn't have got his license without that document and hence being a dependant on him logically my license should be granted for the same period as his. This was too logical for the department however and by this stage I was being as silent as possible otherwise I didn't know what I would say. I then asked whether Shammy could at least verify my residence status while he was there, rather than having to return again with me. The answer was a straight out "No", this was all a bit too much for me and the tears started coming. He then discovered that Shammy's license had his previous address on it rather than our current one, and even though there database was updated with the new address - as is a must over here otherwise your license is suspended - because his photo license didn't read that it wasn't good enough. So after paying to have a new license printed out a change suddenly came over our American friend, I'm thinking the tears may have started getting to him and off he went to check if Shammy could validate my residency and sign a document while he was there and what do you know after checking with the supervisor, he could!
So consequently Shammy then had the task of making me feel better which he managed to succeed at after an hour had passed plus a latte was added into the bargain. I think everything had just got to me, the endless documentation for everything and the work situation.
I may have an opening on the work front though as I managed to speak with a pharmacy owner I hadn't phoned before and after meeting her in person she seems keen to let me work some hours at her store. She just needed to consult her husband as it is a family run store and I think they have to work out if its financially viable for them, I'm keeping my fingers crossed though.
Besides all this, I can feel spring is on its way and Shammy and I are both enjoying training for the half-marathon in May and are still chuffed with our 10km run we just did. I am really enjoying spending quality time with Shammy and married life so far is going well so lets hope next time you here from me I have a learner's permit in hand :)
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