Getting There and Away: CRIKEY!

When I received my "official" acceptance package from the University of Melbourne, I learned that they wanted me to arrive on July 17. This was never going to happen (the first class I even expressed an interest in didn't start until August 9). Students who would be arriving after that date were instructed to seek "permission." Yes, permission.

I sort of put this on the backburner for a week or two until I decided when I wanted to arrive/when was feasible to arrive. One day a fire appeared under my ass and I was determined to buy my ticket THAT DAY. That was almost two weeks ago. No, my motivation didn't fizzle. I then remembered about the "permission" I needed and shot off an email to the appropriate permission-giver in Australia.

I didn't get a reply for about four days. When I finally did get a reply, the person said he had contacted the Law "Faculty" and would get back to me. Over a week later I still had not been granted or denied approval. I sent another email, but nicely. I received a response back that the appropriate permission-giver was "away" and I would be notified upon his/her return. No word on when that might be...maybe she'll be back before I leave, maybe not. This was two days ago.

Tonight, because they are 14 hours ahead there, I have been on a mission to solve this mystery and buy my damn ticket. I emailed a different person who was sort of filling in for the permission-giver and waited for a response. After three hours, nothing, but I was prepared and had expected as much (because hey, that is a very small turn around time). I had purchased a calling card at a Mexican grocery store - $5 = almost 5 hours!!! If you want to call me, please buy calling cards at Mexican grocery stores - we'll talk more than ever. But I digress.

I called the scab and left what is very likely one of the most pathetic voicemails a man has ever gotten. In essence it was, "Please talk to me, I need to buy my ticket." Less than 5 minutes later, in my email box, I received an email from the scab. He told me that he had forwarded my email to someone else, who could "help me." !!!!! Wha!? Thanks, cheese. Because I was under the assumption that's why they gave me to you.

Here's the thing - he didn't say the person who could help me was the permission-giver who is infinitely "away," but sort of left it open. If it's the right person, why didn't he just say, "hey, she's back and will let you know." If it's not the right person, why was I ever referred to this knucklehead to begin with?

Frustrating.

I recognize my responsibility in all this for not doing it right away and realize this is part of my anxiety. But really, this is getting to be absurd. Who would've thought a simple yes or no would be so difficult?

Oh, and remember that passport I freaked out about so that I could get my visa ontime? Well, I paid out the wazoo for it only to be delayed in getting my visa because the school took FOREVER in sending us a special code that has to go on our visa app. However, it is noteworthy that I applied for and was granted a visa in less than 48 hours. "Permission" to arrive later than the officially sanctioned date...still up in the air.

UPDATE, Thursday June 29: I found out this morning they will not give me permission to arrive on August 3rd. Of course, they didn't give me any other kind of information besides "no." I don't know what this means in terms of other days I can arrive after July 17. I suppose it's not outside the realm of possibility that I may not be able to go at all. Stay tuned.