Vel Venturi

[Vel Venturi]

Howdy! I'm Vel Venturi and I was just accepted in. I've hoped to join for a long time, but only recently managed to get photos together, so here I am.

I've loved Star Wars since I saw the movie in theaters back when it was originally released. Yes, I'm an old ornery lady. I'm in Texas, not far from Houston, and I am soon-to-be-engaged to an Aussie so I'll be moving Down Under in a year or so.

I love to dress up, so I'm a member of the SCA and SASS, can't get enough of playing in different times and worlds. I'm a longtime gamer, both pen and paper RPGs and MMORPGs. Currently I play City of Heroes, LotRO and Champions Online--can't wait for SWTOR. I am really enjoying playing Jedi Vel Venturi in a Saga edition Star Wars PnP game--the costume was a big hit at our Halloween game last year.

I love collectibles and have way too many. I also collect original character art for many of my characters. Any other art nuts out there?

Anyway, I'm glad to finally be here. I think this will be fun.
Kelly

[nassik]

Welcome Kelly. I'm an American that married an Aussie and am trying to go home to my wife in AU (stuck here in California waiting for spousal visa approval). My recommendation to you is that after you become engaged file for your fiance' visa as soon as possible. It will take months for them to process.

You sound like an avid gamer and a definite costumer. I think you'll fit in well here. Again, welcome. I hope that you enjoy your time here.

[Vel Venturi]

Hi Nassik! Thanks for the welcome, it's nice to meet you.

I'm so glad to meet a fellow Aussie-loving-Yank. Thanks for the wise words, any other advice you have would be appreciated. I've visited once and am going back over in two weeks for a couple of months, and I'm excited about the prospect of moving, but a little nervous about it too. I am sort of lucky in that my guy works for Immigration in the Visas department, but alas, he doesn't work in Spousal visas! He's a typical bureaucrat, "That's not my depaaahment, sheila," he's also a typical smart-alec.

Anyway, great to meet you. Good luck getting your visa squared away! What part of Australia do you guys live in when you aren't stuck in CA? It must be really hard to be away from her, I hope you get back there soon.

[Jedimom/Cor-Al Gelkar]

Welcome!

[nassik]

Hi Kelly

Other than being prompt with filing your visa application I can tell you to be prepared to change a few of your eating habits. The Aussies don't stock all of the things that we have in the U.S. If you like Hostess you may be out of luck. LOL There are just some foodstuffs that Australia doesn't import. But I do know that you get more American offerings if you're on the east side of Australia.

If you're going over for a couple of months I assume that you're going on an ETA visa. One thing to watch for... when you file for your fiance' visa the Aussies may require you to file it from the U.S. I was in Australia for ten months on a tourist visa and when we went to file for the spousal visa I was told that I had to return to the U.S. and file it from here. And so I returned to the States and am here staying with family until the spousal visa is approved. And once the visa application is filed you have to stay in the place you were when you filed it.

So I can fly home to my wife and our house but if the Aussies try to contact me about the visa application and I'm not in the U.S. they can cancel the visa application and keep the hefty application fee. And so I've got to stay put until the application is fully processed. So please be aware of that possibility. At this time a visa application can take from four to six months to process though I've been told that they're quicker lately.

My wife was a government worker in Canberra for years though she and I now live in Perth in Western Australia. So I understand about bureaucrats.

Moving is an interesting experience. Your stuff will take weeks to arrive after it's shipped and so when you move remember to take anything you need to live on (clothes primarily). Because you'll be living out of your suitcase until your stuff catches up with you.

Being apart is rough but there's always the internet. I assume that's how you and your partner keep in touch. I speak with my wife every day through an instant messenger with voice and webcam and so we still see each other all the time. It keeps you going until you get to go home.
.
I hope that this bit of info prepares you and helps for what may lie ahead as you prepare for an Australian move. It's a nice country, though, and the folks are friendly. Oh' yes, be prepared for nervous travel as the Aussies drive on the opposite side of the road from Americans. I still think we're going to get hit sometimes when we're driving. And lastly, get ready for warm Christmases. This holiday comes in the Australian summer.

[Darcu RyMal]

Welcome aboard! I'm sure you'll find so many helpful and fun people here just as I have!

[JediKai]

Welcome! I too both saw the movies upon first release in theaters (though I'm older than you) AND am in the SCA. Hope you enjoy yourself here.

[Troy Nar'Holiss]

WELCOME!!!!! glad to have you hear

[Vel Venturi]

Thank you to everyone for the kind welcome

[danpa]

Welcome aboard.

[Ma'Kata So-gan]

welcome!

[Jan-Qui Coran]

bows

Greetings Vel Venturi,
Greetings & welcome to The Jedi Assembly.
You mentioned you were an "old ornery lady" ---I bet I can top it---age that is . It would depend on how old you were when you actually saw it. I remember those days when the Star Wars 1st came out myself---ahhhh those were the days----sigh-----------

I'd love to go visit down under---maybe someday.