This Had To Happen On A Friday...No More TGIF's

*Sigh*

What a day...phone call, phone call, phone call...

It started with HSA. "Hi, my name is Nicholas Newn, and I was wondering about not needing to do that medical. It's going to cost me $2200 up front." "Oh, gee, we didn't know it would cost that much." "Yup, it does, because I need to see a psychotherapist or a psychaiatrist, as opposed to a psychologist, which I can just go see at the university. I can even get my old team and GP to fax you certified copies of my reports for assessment. They're within 2 years. I bet I could even do a telephone interview with my old case officer and he'll write a report for you. My appointment is only at the end of March, and even then, you'll only get the report maybe mid or end of April." "Ok, I'll call you back in a bit after I talk to the senior medical officer."

-A short while later-

"Hi, Nick? This is HSA. Yea, I had a chat to the SMO, and unfortunately, we need a current report. I'm really, really sorry." "Ok. Well, is there any other option for me?" "Unfortunately not." "Ok. Bye."

Immigration, after the arbitrary wait period. "Hi, my name is Nicholas Newn, and I tried calling my case officer, but the number's been disconnected." "Ok, just give me your personal details, and I'll get your information on screen." "Is it possible for me to talk to the case officer?" "Please hold........................unfortunately, he's unable to take your call at the moment, but did leave a message for you that he's still waiting on the medical report for you before he can assess your visa." "Well, the medical report is going to cost me $2200, and won't be in until mid or late April." "If that's the case, we'll wait for it. You're currently on a Class C Bridging Visa, so that will be valid until your student visa is approved." "Right then. Can I apply for a working visa so that I can at least have prove of income to then try to negotiate with the doctors for a payment plan?" "Unfortunately, since you're on a Class C, you can't apply for a new work visa. If you were on a Class A, you could have still continued to work." "What are my options then?" "None. Is there anything else I can help you with?" "No, that's all, thanks."

Called the university after that to keep them in the loop of what's going on. "Hi, can I please speak to Melissa?" "Hi Nick. Ok, so what's going on?" "Well, I still have to do that medical. Now, just a question, my Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), what is the difference between the one here at the uni and the one I currently have with Medibank Private?" "Nothing really, but we offer it for free here at the uni." "Oh. That's good. Uh, is it possible for me to transfer providers? Then I can go and apply for a refund from Medibank Private, and hopefully get back $700." "Well, you are on a bridging visa, but then again, you wouldn't be at uni if you didn't fulfill the requirements, so I guess you are eligible for the uni provided cover." "Sweet. Ok then, I'll be in on Monday to finish the application process. Have a good weekend!"

After one hour (the time it took me to make those phone calls, not reading about it) finally something went in my way...little victories all around...

Cooked up beef stroganoff tonight, with peppers as additional veges, and got Kuang to make up some butter and paprika rice. He did alright, and since I just walked into the door from my Contemporary Oz class, Nami had some too, and they were, "Pass, pass, good, good..." So, looks like I passed in my beef strog recipe...:)

So, anyhow, class...missed this morning's class, had a bit of a stomach flu, was not good...enough of that though, Contemporary Oz was so much better. Rob did a great job as the first presentation, on "What is Australia's Image?" as well as a guest lecturer...who's doing her PhD from CSU Wagga...and it was another good class....oh, also, the first thing that they said when I walked in..."Did you bring cheesecake?" Hehe...

So, Grace's blog's backlinked on the right there, I'm now watching 'King Kong' on TV, and talking to Grace too on MSN, so I'll bid you faredewell for the mo...going to have a hell of a week ahead too, so I might try to have an early (er) night that normal...practical training tomorrow and Sunday...and Lee said that he'll be picking me up earlier because he's got to go in to work before we go to TAFE...

N