ACS : Status changed to "In Process"

Our ACS status changed today, which can only mean 1 thing : We have a CO ! Her name is Sally Zarka, and is one of the 6 CO's working at the ACS. This is good news since it can take up to 12 weeks before the application is processed. Let's hope it doesn't take 12 weeks ! At least we have done whatever we could for now in regard of the ACS application : Now it's a waiting game.

ACS : Application forms received !

The ACS has received my application letter ! I was getting worried they, or the dutch posting system, lost my precious cargo, but this news confirms that the ACS has the letter and will ( hopefully soon ) assign a CO ( slang for Case Officer ) to my assessment. *fingers crossed*

Scamp & Tizz : Bloodsamples

When we close the cat-flap, that's it : Tizz ( the Puss , with capital P ) knows. He knows that this seemingly small step for Pusskind, will be a huge leap for Puss : All the way to the veterinarian ! So we try and disguise the actions. Today, we used Scamps water drinking bowl : We placed it in front of the catflap, but the Puss is not easily fooled. Although he was never going to get his paws wet, he certainly wouldn't make it easy for us either ! So the hunt started. Since we know all of his 'boudoirs', it wasn't really hard to find him. But that's where the struggle starts. The Puss, in all his cleverness, has found a new way to trick us today. The tactics are simple : Struggle for as long as you can , use all 4 paws and push hard with the legs against the sides of the box door. This way the Puss pushes the box forwards and this requires one hand to hold back the box from scuttling off. And this is where Puss uses plan B. He will now seemingly enter the box, "giving up", and when you try and close the lid with 1 hand, he races out of the box, usually all the way upstairs ofcourse !

So, with a little help from Kim, we wormed him in the box and closed the lid before he could do his houdini.

Scamp likes the vet. He gets cookies from the vet !

ACS Assessment forms sent !

Well, today felt like we're really getting things moving ! I have now sent the ACS skills assessment forms up today. It's officially on it's way to the ACS in Australia.
There is still loads to do, but at least the first step is taken, and this means that our migration has now officially started. It's a strange feeling. A feeling of being 'out of control'. That being said, it feels good to have things finally rolling after all these months of preparation. Judging from how the ACS assesses us, we'll see how good 'we' ( the royal we, really meaning 'me' ) have done our homework.
It's time to keep your *fingers crossed*

Scamp & Tizz : Rabies vaccination

We brought Scamp and Tizz to the veterinary today for the rabies vaccination.
They will need to be vaccinated against rabies at least 1 month before blood samples can be taken. The earlier we get the Mini-Poop ( Scamp ) and the Micro-Poop ( Tizz ) ready for migration, the less they will have to sit in quarantine once we arrive in Australia. So , this is an important step for them ( although, they don't really agree with me right now )

Getting all the paperwork together for the ACS skills assessment

During my research of the info recovered from DIAC website, it seems that the first step in the Visa application is getting the ACS to assess our skills. Depending on our skills, we could get 50 or 60 points, and possibly even MODL, which in laymans terms means "The quick list". I peeked on the MODL list and my job position is on there ! So we decided that we would use my MODL skills to get the visa. That way, we could possibly get it faster ( although noone can tell for sure it really helps in getting the visa faster ).
The first step will be to get everything that is not english translated into english. This has to be done officially by an official, accredited translator. I found a great website : www.snelvertaler.nl which promises to be fast, efficient and cheap.
Well, I'm always up for those virtues, so I have tried them out. To my utter surprise, I have gotten both my french diploma and my dutch diploma all translated with apostille for 120 euro's and within a week. This is indeed fast, cheap and good. I would definately use them again if I had anything to be translated again ( but it doesn't look like I will need anything translated soon ).
I also copied all my english MCSE and MCDBA diploma's and exams, plus passport copies and birth certificates and a lot more required documents. All in all, it amounted to a STAGGERING 100 pages ! Since I needed some documents 4 times, it was clear that this would cost HOURS to legalize at a civil notary. After some calls I found a guy who would copy them , but he charged 260 Euro's for the whole pack of paper. Well, it's for a good cause.

Anyway, I seem to have all the paperwork together. I'll send it up as soon as I'm sure all the paperwork is included !

Made the IELTS exam reservation ! And a little bet too !

Today I set us up for the IELTS exam. At first we thought we wouldn't need it, but after scrutinizing the website of the DIAC it's clear that we will need to sit the IELTS test. From the IELTS website, it appears that The Netherlands have two centres where they host the exams : One is located in Amsterdam, and the other one is located in Utrecht. The Utrecht one is booked until 21 July, so we'll go with Amsterdam, who can book us for 5 July 2008 , a whopping 3 months from now ! It's good that we book it now, it will minimize the delays of our visa application later on. Kim and me have also made a bet. Both of us being too cocky for our own good, we got ourselves in deep this time : a 2 hours massage ( with extra's ) for the winner ! I honestly can see myself losing this bet, since English is my second language, as opposed to english being Kim's first language. That being said, I'll probably come up with one trick or another to maximize my chances.

Edit : I have indeed found a way to make my chances better. It seems that there's an IELTS.pack available for download, which contains practice tests and tips and tricks for the IELTS test ! I definately will need to quietly download and use this information to my benefit !