Just a quick note for those concerned about recent roadblocks and whatnot.
Former partner has gotten a little legal advice which says that he should launch an appeal of the decision, supplementing the application with evidence backing up the length of our estrangement.
So this morning was a flurry phone calls and emails and signings, with me scanning my passport to back up how often and for how long I was out of Norway, the writing of affidavits attesting to the fact that our break up occurred long before we got around to actively signing a separation agreement, along with documentation showing my intent to marry here in Australia; which should put to rest any concerns the Norwegian government might have about a possible reconciliation.
He’ll submit all of this in the afternoon, in person, and then begins the process of…well waiting. Yipeee!
Have, in the meantime, gotten divorce papers drawn up and officially witnessed for an application to be made here in Australia if the Norwegian appeal does not work. It will be an even longer shot here; I’d have to find a way to prove I consider Australia home; difficult as I’ve only been in the country 9 months, and will be booted out in three more. But tis worth even a slim shot, I suppose.
If only Las Vegas WERE around the corner! All countries should have their own Vegas; a centre of debauchery, in which citizens from all over could flock, like Mecca, to waste away their hard earned cash, get a headache from flouro lighting, get married by Elvis impersonators and be divorced with the snap of their fingers. I’ll just grab my polyester leisure suit, adopt a loud, annoyingly piercing voice and stock up on disposable cameras now, just in case.
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
Friday, April 22, 2005
Grarr! Fecking Governments!
So the wedding is on more or less indefinite hold.
Immigration application is on more or less indefinite hold.
Divorce is more or less on indefinite hold.
Former partner and I, both Canadian citizens, married in Canada…but left the country in 2001 to spend a few years in Norway. Split, I bugged off and spent a while in London (as a visitor), he remained in Norway. Then I moved to Australia on a year long visa.
None of the countries involved, it seems, will grant us a divorce; even though we have been separated for years, and want a no muss no contest divorce with no mucking about to divide assets. That’s all sorted. We just need a judge to proclaim us no longer married.
Norway is the only country I have ever heard of who require that the government be notified formally of a separation. And, due to obvious barrier of language, we were not aware of this and therefore did not lodge an official notification about our separation agreement signed and witnessed back in 2003. When they were approached a few months back to grant the divorce, the clerk told my former partner that notification of the separation should have been launched, but then gave him all the papers for filing divorce anyhow, telling him to attach a copy of our separation agreement. The implication was since we were non citizens, who did not get married in Norway and were unawares, they would accept divorce application.
Only after filing the divorce application, they would not process it and grant a divorce. Instead, they want a separation application launched, and then, a year from now, they will consider the divorce application. Now; the Norwegian government maintains strict controls on their borders, and stricter controls still on non-nationals entering and leaving the country. They KNOW when I left the country. They KNOW, therefore, that we have been physically separated by distance.
Canadian law states that to file for a divorce in Canada, one of the parties in question must reside for a period of 12 months in the province in which they file, immediately before the application is filed. Despite being Canadian citizens, who hole NO citizenship in any other country on the planet, we can’t file in Canada because we have not resided there since 2001.
Australian law states that to file here you must be a citizen or consider Australia your permanent home (this to allow for permanent resident who do not take full citizenship). And you know what? If I could get a bloody divorce Australia WOULD become home, as I would be immediately marrying an Aus citizen and remaining here.
How’s that for a right royal headache?
It’s sad that in this global age, when humans move about the planet for work and pleasure, there are not considerations made for processing legal arrangements such as divorce. Instead, the various governments involved wind up causing situations wherein people remain bound to a former partner, both unable to formalize relationships with new partners, and new partners (like the boi) are forced to move from their home country in order to stay with their partner, who remains unable to apply for immigration while thusly bound to former partner.
The solution? I think embassies in foreign countries should be allowed to assess applications for things like divorce for citizens abroad. Not necessarily be allowed to grant divorce, but to assess individually and recommend application be heard in home country in absentia.
Madness.
Immigration application is on more or less indefinite hold.
Divorce is more or less on indefinite hold.
Former partner and I, both Canadian citizens, married in Canada…but left the country in 2001 to spend a few years in Norway. Split, I bugged off and spent a while in London (as a visitor), he remained in Norway. Then I moved to Australia on a year long visa.
None of the countries involved, it seems, will grant us a divorce; even though we have been separated for years, and want a no muss no contest divorce with no mucking about to divide assets. That’s all sorted. We just need a judge to proclaim us no longer married.
Norway is the only country I have ever heard of who require that the government be notified formally of a separation. And, due to obvious barrier of language, we were not aware of this and therefore did not lodge an official notification about our separation agreement signed and witnessed back in 2003. When they were approached a few months back to grant the divorce, the clerk told my former partner that notification of the separation should have been launched, but then gave him all the papers for filing divorce anyhow, telling him to attach a copy of our separation agreement. The implication was since we were non citizens, who did not get married in Norway and were unawares, they would accept divorce application.
Only after filing the divorce application, they would not process it and grant a divorce. Instead, they want a separation application launched, and then, a year from now, they will consider the divorce application. Now; the Norwegian government maintains strict controls on their borders, and stricter controls still on non-nationals entering and leaving the country. They KNOW when I left the country. They KNOW, therefore, that we have been physically separated by distance.
Canadian law states that to file for a divorce in Canada, one of the parties in question must reside for a period of 12 months in the province in which they file, immediately before the application is filed. Despite being Canadian citizens, who hole NO citizenship in any other country on the planet, we can’t file in Canada because we have not resided there since 2001.
Australian law states that to file here you must be a citizen or consider Australia your permanent home (this to allow for permanent resident who do not take full citizenship). And you know what? If I could get a bloody divorce Australia WOULD become home, as I would be immediately marrying an Aus citizen and remaining here.
How’s that for a right royal headache?
It’s sad that in this global age, when humans move about the planet for work and pleasure, there are not considerations made for processing legal arrangements such as divorce. Instead, the various governments involved wind up causing situations wherein people remain bound to a former partner, both unable to formalize relationships with new partners, and new partners (like the boi) are forced to move from their home country in order to stay with their partner, who remains unable to apply for immigration while thusly bound to former partner.
The solution? I think embassies in foreign countries should be allowed to assess applications for things like divorce for citizens abroad. Not necessarily be allowed to grant divorce, but to assess individually and recommend application be heard in home country in absentia.
Madness.
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
Bet ya didn't know...
Koala pee smells like skunk spray. See, I bet a lot of you reading this did not know that, did you?
Something else some of you might not know? I’m getting married. Small, very informal ‘do; we will just grab a couple friends to act as witnesses and head to a local JP. After its all done we will call round to other friends and some family and drag them all out to a pub for steaks and pints. No fuss no muss. We don’t want to make a big deal over something that’s not going to change the relationship any. Save the stress involved with planning a big thing, and save the cash to maybe travel a bit later next year. I want to show the boi what London is all about.
And I have a new job. An actual, salaried job I mean….had forgotten what that was like, having worked contractually for a few years now. When the job offer was made, I took it on the assumption I’d have to play growed-up; take out some of the piercings, do something with my technicoloured hair. But nope! Was flattered as fuck when the boss compared me to Pauley Paulette, as she appears in the “Abby” character from N.C.I.S. So I’m doing the corporate goth thang. It’s working well. New dreads soon, too. Yay!
I’ve acclimatized. The summer heat has passed, and I was disgusted to find myself heading to the office in a cotton shirt AND a fleece jumper. The temperature was 26 degrees celsius. That’s just not right. 26 is summer weather back home, and would have been enough to have me bitching about the heat. And yet, here I am, clothing shopping and checking out wool jumpers and leather jackets. WTF?
I’ve been thinking about school again. I miss being a student. Think I will look into some courses for the new year. Problem is there is so much that interests me. Before I look into more serious schooling, I’ll think I will hunt around for a short course in digital photography basics though. Mine’s busted, I don’t like the boi’s cam, and so I’ve been coveting a couple of new models for a month or two now; buying a new one should be enough of an excuse to do a proper course.
Something else some of you might not know? I’m getting married. Small, very informal ‘do; we will just grab a couple friends to act as witnesses and head to a local JP. After its all done we will call round to other friends and some family and drag them all out to a pub for steaks and pints. No fuss no muss. We don’t want to make a big deal over something that’s not going to change the relationship any. Save the stress involved with planning a big thing, and save the cash to maybe travel a bit later next year. I want to show the boi what London is all about.
And I have a new job. An actual, salaried job I mean….had forgotten what that was like, having worked contractually for a few years now. When the job offer was made, I took it on the assumption I’d have to play growed-up; take out some of the piercings, do something with my technicoloured hair. But nope! Was flattered as fuck when the boss compared me to Pauley Paulette, as she appears in the “Abby” character from N.C.I.S. So I’m doing the corporate goth thang. It’s working well. New dreads soon, too. Yay!
I’ve acclimatized. The summer heat has passed, and I was disgusted to find myself heading to the office in a cotton shirt AND a fleece jumper. The temperature was 26 degrees celsius. That’s just not right. 26 is summer weather back home, and would have been enough to have me bitching about the heat. And yet, here I am, clothing shopping and checking out wool jumpers and leather jackets. WTF?
I’ve been thinking about school again. I miss being a student. Think I will look into some courses for the new year. Problem is there is so much that interests me. Before I look into more serious schooling, I’ll think I will hunt around for a short course in digital photography basics though. Mine’s busted, I don’t like the boi’s cam, and so I’ve been coveting a couple of new models for a month or two now; buying a new one should be enough of an excuse to do a proper course.
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
The voices inside my head.
Question;What do you think about. When you are just sitting around thinking about your life.
I think alot about finances. I'm horrible with money. I simply don't respect it. I piss it away without concern, and then find myself struggling to support myself later.I think about how my inability to handle money affects the people around me. How it led to a massive student loan that suffocates me.
I also think of the upsides; I think about the fun I had being a student, the people I met and the lessons I learned. I think how ironic it is that I have two degrees, and yet, I learned more about myself and he world around me then I did anything acedemic.
I think about my weight...hey I'm female, its obligatory. I think about how I'm a fat chick who really does not care or even think about it when left to my own devices. I'm healthy, even if I am not fit, and overall I'm content, because I've never had a lack of partners nor had reason to think that as a person, I'm not attractive/sexy. Still, there are times that I catch a look from a stranger on the street and feel embarased about my body.
I think about shiney things and flutterbyes. Of toys that lights up and make me clap with delight. I think of rain and how much i like spashing in puddles. Things that go Grrrr in the night.I think of ice cream on my nose. Snowflakes on my tongue. Of fuzzy bunny ears and bois that purr. I think of glitter and synthetic dreads. I think of blowing soap bubbles. I think of how sad it is that most adults I know leave so much of their childhood in their past.
I think about my lust for a new camera. Of all the things I want to learn and experience in the future. And about those I've buggered up in the past.
I think about travel. I think with a touch of awe about all I have seen and the places I've visited and lived in the past 5 years. I think about being grateful to friends who I've met along the way that helped me out and made it all possible.
I think of the children I will probably never have.
I think about my friends most of all. The incredible people that have found a place in my life, who honour me by sharing their lives with me. About those I love. About how these truely amazing people see something in me that makes them want to know me.
I figure, based on these friends and loved ones, that I must have been a saint in a past life to deserve such richness in this.
I think alot about finances. I'm horrible with money. I simply don't respect it. I piss it away without concern, and then find myself struggling to support myself later.I think about how my inability to handle money affects the people around me. How it led to a massive student loan that suffocates me.
I also think of the upsides; I think about the fun I had being a student, the people I met and the lessons I learned. I think how ironic it is that I have two degrees, and yet, I learned more about myself and he world around me then I did anything acedemic.
I think about my weight...hey I'm female, its obligatory. I think about how I'm a fat chick who really does not care or even think about it when left to my own devices. I'm healthy, even if I am not fit, and overall I'm content, because I've never had a lack of partners nor had reason to think that as a person, I'm not attractive/sexy. Still, there are times that I catch a look from a stranger on the street and feel embarased about my body.
I think about shiney things and flutterbyes. Of toys that lights up and make me clap with delight. I think of rain and how much i like spashing in puddles. Things that go Grrrr in the night.I think of ice cream on my nose. Snowflakes on my tongue. Of fuzzy bunny ears and bois that purr. I think of glitter and synthetic dreads. I think of blowing soap bubbles. I think of how sad it is that most adults I know leave so much of their childhood in their past.
I think about my lust for a new camera. Of all the things I want to learn and experience in the future. And about those I've buggered up in the past.
I think about travel. I think with a touch of awe about all I have seen and the places I've visited and lived in the past 5 years. I think about being grateful to friends who I've met along the way that helped me out and made it all possible.
I think of the children I will probably never have.
I think about my friends most of all. The incredible people that have found a place in my life, who honour me by sharing their lives with me. About those I love. About how these truely amazing people see something in me that makes them want to know me.
I figure, based on these friends and loved ones, that I must have been a saint in a past life to deserve such richness in this.
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