Yes, I wish I can get a new job. Especially after 1 year doing nothing after 10 years being busy working hard, I wish I could come back in career world.

And here I am, working again. As the new person in the new country, I am so grateful, just a couple month after my visa that allowed me to work granted, I had job.

Even thought I got a small depression because the change of my situation from Indonesia to Australia, but it wont last long, since I am able to work, and it means that I also starting to do something that I like.

Career elevation? Not in 2018. In 2018 all I want is to get a new job, getting to know the real social life of Australian people, and getting to know more about everything outside my personal circle.

But I am pretty happy with what I have now. Like I said in my last post, I am really grateful with what I have now, the people, the job, everything. And at the end of 2018, I suddenly receive a trust from my boss to work alone. While for all this time, I just being an assistant. For me, this is a great way in the job. Knowing that I never been in this business before, and learning from start, this is really a great opportunity.

Also read: Finally, Chances to get Back to Work

I'm so grateful, all of the dramas, and the stress for applying my visa were paid. Yes, my visa finally done. All I going to do just wait for my Permanent Resident to be granted.

And it only took a couple months. In January I applied for my partner visa, and in March I get the bridging visa, and in August, my partner visa finally granted. It was worth the tears, dramas, and all of the things.

All, I going to do is just wait for my Permanent Resident. They said it took 2 years for the Home Affair Department to asses it. Oh well, let's see what will happen in the next two years.

Also Read: Baca Juga: Partner Visa Sub Class 820 Granted

Well...
If I look back in my 2018, this year I don't have many times travelling. Especially travelling for leisure. Most of it because of work.

Several times I went to beaches, lakes, or any places that worth to travel to, but most of it is for work.

Perhaps, I will extend this resolution in 2019. I mean, who don't like to travel, and yeah, I hope next year I could do more of this.

In my birthday, my boyfriend adopted a kitten as gift. I guess he knew that I am too stress and sad because I couldn't bring my cat to Australia.

So here we are, a new member of the family, Duke Of Leicester. The name Duke came from his breed (british short hair), and Leicester is the family name. LOL.

Since Duke become part of the family, I slowly become calmer and don't have a lots of stressful thought. I guess the articles about cat that I read was right, cat can help reduce stress.

5. Survive

Of course education fee is expensive. And if I took a scholarship, I couldn't get 100% scholarship. Event if they gave me 50% scholarship, we still couldn't afford the rest. Australian Awards Scholarship looks promising, but when I finish my study, I have to return to Indonesia, and couldn't go back to Australia for (they said) 2 years.

This become a problem for my boyfriend, he don't want another two years long distance relations. I could understand that, so I have to get another alternative. Like asking for government fund, but I have to be a Permanent Resident first to get that. Well, It's just the matter of time, and immigration office to grant my Permanent Resident.

Also Read: Stage 3: Partner Visa Sub Class 820, Granted

Since my visa status already change to be Partner Visa and grant for work (and study with my own finance), I could wait my status and all those grand plan by working.

Photo by Min An from Pexels

Working is another plan for me to wait the grand plan. But my boyfriend and I face the difficulty for me to get the job. 10 years working experiences didn't mean anything to lots of companies in here. Simply just because I don't have an Australia experiences. Like Certificate from Australian educator, or has been work in Australia before.

So I try to makes my self busy by writing. Or doing anything I could to kill the time. That is why this several years this blog is here. Since I want to write about a new life in Australia, and share it to you, the reader. This blog was really up to date, in one time, I could updated two posts in a week.

I know recently the content is not about my story in here, but more into reviews of cosmetics, or even recipes that I made here. A little bit of from the first purposes, I know.

And because of that, I know this blog is a little bit boring, because of only like that, and not a lot stories I share. I'm sorry. Beside I have no ideas what to write, I was in the point where my life is monotone. In one circle, my life is only : wake up, watch television, sleep. And that happen all days all weeks.

If I want to go out somewhere, I have to depend on my boyfriend (which depending is the most hateful things I do, especially the things that I could do it by my self). Since my boyfriend working until Saturday (even only half day in Saturday), all he wants in weekend is just resting at home, sleep, and relax. While, that's the things I do, everyday.

Photo by energepic.com from Pexels

Actually, in every Indonesian - Australia groups I follows. they always give advises to the newly migrate person like me to not too picky for looking for jobs. Because all of the experiences we had in Indonesia, and (sadly) the college certificates we have in Indonesia, means nothing in here. It's really hurt me, because to finished my 4 years Uni study I have to be really fought hard.

I do realise, and yes, what could I do. So I prepared my self by lowering my ego about "I am a Bachelor degree" or "I had been worked for 10 years".

Does my boyfriend help me to get  job? Yes, he does, but since no chance, what can we do? He also doesn't have lots of connection that can help us.

Not only my boyfriend, even his ex-wife tried to help me too. She helped me because she knows that it was so hard for me doing nothing, day by day, stuck and couldn't do anything. So she tried to put my resume at her company.

She hopped that one of her friend at HR could help me to get, at least part time job.

At the end, the result is nothing, she even couldn't help me, since her friend also don't want to help us. Oh well.

Desperate? Of course. I came from someone who worked 2 weeks in a row (including Saturday and Sunday) and sometimes 3-4 weeks, and then become someone who didn't do anything, at all. 

My First Job, Casual Assistant Cook

Casual Worker 

Second Job, Indonesian Language Tutor

Still Grateful

Here we are at the spring in Melbourne. And one thing that I could stand of spring is it also the hay fever season. 

One day I couldn't breathe in the middle of the night, because my nose is blocked, both. I was panicking, because this was the first time I couldn't breath. 

My boyfriend then took me to the 24 hours clinic, and ended up get the nebulizer, and I had to purchase nasal spray and ventolin. Plus a hay fever tablet.

Like some people in 4 seasons countries, hay fever is common for them who had allergy for the season. Mostly at spring and summer. The medicine world called it Allergic Rhinitis. 

Source

This year was the worst year for me about this hay fever allergic. Last year I didn't feel really bad. Just a few sneeze, not even until blocked nose. But now, I have all the symptoms.

Sometimes I still confuse to differ it with a normal flu. Because almost same symptoms.

Trying to Understand Hay Fever

Since I came from the country with "always summer" country, of course this allergic is so not familiar in me. My boyfriend keep saying "it's a normal thing for some people in spring." And sometimes he said it is a spring allergic.

Even actually it is not because the spring it self, but mostly about the pollen particle that getting a lot especially in spring. This pollen is small like dust, and when it came into my nose, my body react for this, and apparently my body is not immune for this particle, and here I am, the hay fever patient. 

How I Overcome with Hay Fever

Thunderstorm Asthma

Is it Save for Tourist with Asthma?

Documents 

the requirement for reporting yourself at Indonesian Consulate if you are Indonesian citizen

Service Hour

The Result

For a note, this is how I do in Victoria State. I don't know about other state in Australia. Do they do the same thing, or not.

But, if you have Indonesian friend that has been stay in your country for more than a month, probably you could suggest them to report themself to the nearest Indonesian embassy or Consulate General. 

I admitted, that I am not one of the Indonesian community member in Melbourne, and before this year, I never came to Indonesian events at all. Just because I simply don't know about it.

So, after I joined one of the Indonesian community in Melbourne at Facebook, I saw there are some events will be held around October this year.

It was a great idea to attended the events. Especially October is the spring month. Sunlight and a little warm too. So I asked my boyfriend weather we could or couldn't go to the events. And he agreed to came to all the three events I showed him.

Anyway,

Spring in Melbourne means lots of festivals going on. Not only from Indonesian communities, but also from any communities that you could find in Melbourne.

But since we are not living close enough with city centre, so my boyfriend just want to attended Indonesian events only. Perhaps latter when I already have my own job and car I could go to any events I like by myself.

So what Indonesian Events I went to?

This event was the event for celebrating Batik as one of Indonesian heritage. Held at Indonesian Consulate General, the second Saturday in October.

We planned to go to this event too. Unlike the last one, we were in the right schedule.

Since it was for celebrated Batik, I found no difficulty for it. I had lots of batik clothes in my closet.

And, it was at Saturday (again), so I had to wait until my boyfriend finished his work (again). Almost same like the last one, I found that I lost my mood at that day. Plus even my boyfriend came home a little bit faster, we had to deal with his daughter that decided to stayed at our house, and his wife that came to took some of their son's belonging.

A bit busy, but we managed to go at 2 pm. In hurry again, because this event started at 10 am and finished at 4 pm. So we didn't have much time.

Luckily, it just took 45 minutes to the Indonesian Consulate General. And didn't face an unnecessary's traffic.

Since this was our first time to Indonesian Consulate General, we didn't know that to get inside, we had to go to the back of the building.

And when we arrived, we were super late. Because all the performances already  finished, only entertainment from the band. Of course like any Indonesian event, there always a time for a guess to sing. 

Since it was an event for Batik, I was hopping that I could find any kind of batik showed in this event. So I could tell my boyfriend what and why we are really proud of this art. And also could show him the meaning behind it all.

But, I couldn't found any of it or stall, around. Mostly just food stalls and of course there was a batik stall, but to sell it.

Perhaps Consulate member really busy to planned and gather informations about it. Oh well.

Because we were late, so not much things we saw. What can we do, I just hopped that one day we could go to this event earlier.

Indonesian Food & Trade Festival

The third event was the food and trade festival. I was hoped that we could try lots of Indonesian traditional food in this event. Beside enjoying the entertainment of course.

This is the only festival that made us had to pay around $3 each. So of course we would hope it would be great.

Yeah nah..

Food stall, probably is the most important thing in every events we've been. But, same like any other stall, we couldn't get it for free, we had to pay them. Mostly want cash.

We didn't eat any food because I made Indonesian food every week. So we skip that. So we just tried to enjoyed the entertainments. Luckily, we able to saw three or four performances that day.

 

The event started at 11 am and ended at 5 pm, and we arrived at 4 pm. And lucky we could saw some performances. Really.

So far, I could says I like going into those events. Especially for the first time. But I felt that I missed lots of things (beside no one trying to talk with us). Probably because I have to wait my boyfriend to come home, and then takes time to prepared.

Perhaps next year we could be arrive earlier. 

Since this blog is dedicated for my story about moving to Australia (and the life too), so here and there are posts about my visa stories.

I always said, this visa thing is really makes me tired mentally and physically. Started from I have to be really patient faced my friend schedule to help me finish my Indonesian police check. Until I have to be really patient faced my boyfriend time and mood.

Sometimes we had disagreement about what to write, and what to do. And when that happened, both of us really tried to not blew up.

Also read: My Struggle Applying Australian De Facto Visa

It looks really simple. Just preparing the documents, right, and filled those forms, right?.

Nope...

Not to mention, you have to be ready for medical check up, and TIME. Since we spent AU$7,100 for applying the visa, we planned to prepared the money first.

But, three months after I applied the visa, I received an email from Australian embassy, which said that I should finished attaching all of the required documents in 28 days, or they decline my visa application.

PANIC!!!

Because we didn't do anything yet since finished the online application. No police check at Indonesia and Australia, no medical check up, nothing is ready.

So I asked the embassy to give me more time, because I told them the truth, we are not doing anything yet. So they add another 28 days for me. And yes, the race against time then.

Also Read: Stage 2 Applying Australian Partner Visa

Same Struggles Forums

My boyfriend and I followed some forums that have the same struggles with us. But basically I really not a fan of it. Because sometimes I found the answer I need not as complete as I need. And sometimes when I want to ask something, I have to wait a little bit longer.

I prefer asked directly to someone, or to the agency, or someone. Because I can directly get the answer, and complete. Since my boyfriend a little bit dislike when I didn't want to joint any forums, so I joint a few.

Of course, I found some people have the same problem like me, and lots of answer for sure. But, since it scattered around. I have to read the answer one by one and trying to combined all the answer. Need time of course. And concentration.

But, I tell you, following some forums with the same struggles like you is not a bad decision. You could find so many answer for your struggles, and also you can help them too, if you want.

I found it somehow useful. Like when I had to came back to Indonesia and back again to Australia for the third time in a row with the same visitor visa. Some people in the forums already told me to be careful, because the immigration staff will stop you. Just in case I get stop, we already planned so many things. But at the end, they still stopped me anyway.

Also Read: Things You Have to Aware If You Have Multiple Entry Visitor Visa Australia

Actually, it is fine to follow lots of forums. It really help you to find the answers, really.

Bridging Visa

Photo by Mateusz Dach from Pexels

Finally, after finished lodge my visa application, I could breathe a little. Because since lodged it, I immediately granted a bridging visa, which means I should not going in and out to Australia anymore.

With this bridging visa, beside I don't have to go in and out Australia, I also able to get medicare, and Australian private insurance. And Of course I am able to work too with no restriction hour.

And, some people asked me when will they get the bridging visa, and what can they do with the bridging visa.

Firstly, you will get the bridging visa immediately, after you lodge your online visa form. And this bridging visa is applies after your recent visa is not in effect anymore.

Also read: Australian Partner Visa Q & A

For example, I apply my partner visa onshore (in Australia). When I applied it I used visitor visa. SO after lodge my partner visa, and being informed that they gave me bridging visa, this bridging visa was not in effect that time, but waited for my visitor visa is not in effect anymore, which is at April.

And while waiting my visitor visa not in effect in April, that will made my bridging visa automatically active, I still able to stay in Australia, but still with the visitor visa rules.

Partner Visa 820

Since I started my blog and shared my experienced applied Australian Partner Visa, I admit lots of people from my country started to asked me through comment section at the posts, or even try to message me trough my email or any kind of social media I have.

I don't mind actually, I am so happy to help them. Because I know how it feel when you are know nothing and don't have anyone to asked.

I made this post in order to tell some people about some questions that always appear when those people asked me about applying this visa. In order to make it clear, and I am not going to answer it again and again, these are some questions that they always asked me,

Q : Where did you apply your visa? 
A: At Australia, means everything I've done I did it at Australia, including translating the documents.

Q: How if I apply at my own country, not at Australia?
A: Yes you can, but to be honest, I don't know how to do it. Because I applied it at Australia, and I just applied once.

Q: What kind of visa you used when you enter Australia before the partner visa?
A: Visitor visa, multiple entry.

Q: You could stay as long as you can with this multiple entry visitor visa, right?
A: No, Australian immigration give you three months stay for each visit.

Also Read: Things You Have to Aware If You Have Multiple Entry Visitor Visa Australia

Q: Where did you translate your documents?
A: Since I applied my visa onshore (in Australia) so all of my non English language documents been translated at Australia.

Q: Can I use my own translator / can I translate it by my self / can I asked my friend to translate it / can I asked my English teacher to translate it... and so on?
A: No, you can't use any translator you want. You have to use the sworn and creditable translator that pointed by Australian immigration. You can use NAATI people if you apply at Australia, or if you apply in your own country, go ask Australian embassy for this translator.

Q: Why you are not apply your visa in Indonesia?
A: Because I already at Australia when I apply my partner visa.

Photo by bruce mars from Pexels

Q: Can I apply partner visa while I never meet my partner yet?
A: Do you really? How could you never meet your partner but you decided to apply partner visa?

Q: Can I apply when our relations is still not 12 months yet?
A: You can't. Minimum you have 12 months relations first.

Q: But we are in serious relations
A: Get to know your partner first. Meet each other, getting know each other, visit each other countries, follow every social events together, meet each other families and friend too. If you are serious this kind of thing is a must right?

Also Read: My Struggle Applying Australian Partner Visa

Q: What kind of documents that need to be translate?

A: All of the documents with no English language that required by Australian immigration. (Go check their website to know what kind of documents they need).

Q: How much pictures we have to give them as a prove of our relationship?
A: As much as you can.

Q: My partner doesn't like to take a pictures.
A: Then how to prove that you are a partner?

Q: Beside pictures, what else we could show them as a prove?
A: Chat log, skype log, telephone log, money transfer, booking hotel, restaurant receipts, shopping receipts, plane tickets, events tickets, anything that prove you and your partner are doing social event toegther.

Baca Juga: Stage 2 Applying Partner Visa Australia

Q: My partner have children from the past relations, should we put the children name at the form?
A: Yes, all of the name from family in bound have to be state. Parents, siblings, and even children. Then if you have a relations before, you and your partner have to state the ex partners name.

Q: But my partner never been married before.
A: You still have to put the children name, and the ex partner name. Plus you have to tell them the date when the relations begin and end. If you or your partner have been married before, the date is the marital date and divorce date, plus a divorce letter.

Q: Should we know our partner families and friends? 
A: At least you have to know two people from your partner side as the witnesses.

Q: Why we need a witnesses?
A: Because the immigration need at least two witnesses from Australia side to make statements that they know you both, and your relation is genuine.

Q: Our relations is not until 12 months, but how if we married at my country first then apply for partner visa at Australia?
A: You could try. But no matter what kind of visa you apply (either marriage or de facto) they have the same requirements, plus if you are married before you apply partner visa, you should gave them the married certificate too.

Q: I want to apply onshore too, what kind of documents that I have to bring from my country?
A: Bring all the documents that the immigration need. You could scan and save all of them.

Q: Is it alright if I do my police check in Australia?
A: They require police check from your country. Ask your country is it alright you can do it in Australia, or do it online while you are at Australia, or you have to go back to your country.

Q: I have been stayed at another countries beside my country for more than 10 years, and why they need the police check from those countries too?
A: It's a part of the requirement. You will be ask for police check from each countries you have been living for, for at least 10 years.

Q: Why they need me to do Australian police check too? I am not staying in Australia for 12 months when we decide to apply for partner visa/
A: If they ask you to do Australian police check, means you have been at Australia for at least 12 months. Started from the very first day you visited Australia, no matter what the visa you have that time.

Also read: How to get Indonesian Police Check Online

Q: How I apply my visa?
A: You have to make immiaccount first, then choose what kind of visa you will apply, then answer all of the online questions there. Then submit it. That is the first step.

Q: And the second one?
A: They will give you time to collect the required documents, then you upload it at your immiaccount. Then wait.

Q: Should I do the Medical check?
A: Yes you should

Q: Can I do medical check before applying my visa?
A: I suggest to do it after you submit the online form.

Q: Can I do my own medical check, at any hospital?
A: No you can't. You have to do your medical check at the place where the Australian immigration tell you.

Q: I'm doing my medical check every year, can I use that result for my medical check proove?
A: No, you have to do the medical check according to the immigration.

Q: How long that I have to wait to get my TR/PR?
A: Vary, and all depend on the immigration. Some just have to wait for two weeks, some need to wait for two years. Maximum is two years.

Q: How is my status when I finished apply my visa?
A: You will get bridging visa while waiting for your TR/PR

Q: When and how long I get this bridging visa?
A: They will immediately give you the bridging visa once you finish the online form and submit it. And this bridging visa will last until you get your TR/PR.

Q: What can I do with this bridging visa?
A: You could stay in Australia without limit, you can apply for job, you could go for study without government help, and you could make your medicare, bank account and tax number.


There you go. Some of the questions from people that asked me about Australian partner visa. If you think you have questions and it is not stated above, feel free to contact me, I will try to help you as much as I can.