On the way home from the restaurant I said to my husband that I had hoped the Immigration Department had seen my date of birth and had granted us Permanent Residence (PR) as a birthday present to me!
Well, that almost happened! Early Friday morning (4th March) just before I left for work my husband called me and said "Your present has arrived"! I asked, but what present, had you ordered something for me?
"Didn't you want PR for your birthday" he asked? It has come through, I just got an email from the agent! Hooray!! I jumped for joy and quickly sent a couple of sms's to advise my family before driving to work!
We had been waiting for close to 7 months since we submitted our application, plus we have been in Australia for 9 years on a Business Sponsorship Visa (457), having had a few hiccups along the way, reason why the whole process as taken so long, so it was long overdue!
Time to Celebrate!!
Saturday some friends came to visit and my lovely daughter in law came over with a pink birthday cake that she iced with cats, specially for me! Isn't it so pretty? She's so talented!
Sunday we joined some friends at Clarko Reserve at Trigg's beach to celebrate their son's 1st birthday (his birthday was actually on the 2nd of March too).
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| Clarko reserve at Trigg Beach |
When the gathering ended just after 2pm, we walked a few hundred metres ahead to check "Mettams Pool", a secluded little bay suitable for wheel-chair users and prams as it has a ramp that goes almost to the water.
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| Mettams Pool |
As we parked I noticed these two VW limosines that were decked out with wedding ribbons.
I think you will love them Iris!
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| The bridal couple with the kite-surfers in the background |
After walking for hours on the sand photographing almost all of the exhibits, when I got up this morning I had trouble walking my legs were so stiff...very unfit as you can imagine!
I'll leave you with a photo taken from the jetty over the beach where you can see the thousands of people. I'll do specific posts for the sculptures soon.
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| Cottesloe Beach and Indiana Teahouse and Surf Life Saving quarters (the big building) |
In front of the beach my husband found this great pink Mustang from the 60's, what a beauty!
As we left Cottesloe the sun was going down on another perfect day in Perth and we felt lucky to live here.
Hope you all had a great week and weekend. I'm enjoying a lazy Monday as it's a public holiday in Western Australia (Labour day).
Muitos Parabéns, Sami, pelo visto de residência permanente! Imagino que esteja muito mais tranquila - é mais uma coisa (e importante) que fica despachada.
ReplyDeleteAdorei os gatos do bolo! Tão querida a sua nora.
E as fotos do pôr-do-sol, que lindas!
Obrigada Sandra, é fabuloso, agora já temos mais direitos que não tínhamos antes. Sim a Sara é uma querida.
DeleteParabéns Sami!! Imagino o alívio de ver tudo resolvido depois de um longo processo. Que belo presente de aniversário e que sorte poder morar num local tão bonito como Perth.
ReplyDeleteAdorei os gatos no bolo, a sua nora tem um jeitão!
Obrigada Sara, uma belíssima prenda! Sim a minha Sara é muito talentosa.
DeleteThose were nice presents you had for your birthday, a permanent stay in Australia means you do not return to Portugal to live I presume?
ReplyDeleteWell when we came here we wanted it to be long term. Who knows one day we might retire in Europe...but for now Australia is home!
DeleteYour birthday cake looks yummy Sami. Looks like you had a brilliant day! I really wanted to get to Cottesloe to see the sculptures, my blooming knee has given up on me again :) Hope to be walking again by this weekend.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear you're having trouble with your knee Grace. Hope it heals soon.
DeleteWhat better gift than that. The best to you and family.
ReplyDeleteThank you Meme. Thanks for visiting my blog too.
DeleteWow, big, big congrats, Sami! Maybe you can tell us, come December, what to be aware of concerning the Business Sponsorship Visa.
ReplyDeleteYes, great limo and awww, the Mustang and more aww to the sunset-pics!
Thanks Iris, I'm an expert on visas by now!
DeleteI thought you would like the VW limos and of course the pink Mustang is a beauty!
Que linda semana! Beijo saudoso Sami!
ReplyDeleteObrigada Monica, estamos tao felizes com a residencia! Beijinhos xxx
DeleteOh Happy Belated Birthday for the 2nd! You have a very talented daughter in law, and she knows what you like! I have been in Australia for 10 years and just applied for citizenship! that beach looks very windy - will make nice wedding photos with her dress blowing in the wind.
ReplyDeleteThanks Gill. We will be entitled to apply for citizenship in a year's time too. Most beaches here get the afternoon wind (they call it the Fremantle Doctor). I suppose that's why as we stood there more and more kite-surfers were coming in, after the wind started.
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