1/1/2010 - Time to make a decision

Well, it has officially been over a year since we began our journey toward permanent residency in Australia. Dena's sister has lived there for almost 20 years and after visiting several times, we fell in love with the culture and people. The process has been difficult, taking large amounts of time for 1-2 steps and then hearing that we missed one minute detail and must start over. It is incredible to us and our family there that the country would willingly turn away two highly qualified teachers who want to join their culture and stimulate the economy! Unbelievable!

Around November of 2009, Dena's father sent her an article about a new bill passed in Canada that reinstated former citizens and gave their first born generation Canadian citizenship as well. Since Dena's father is from Newfoundland, Dena qualifies and is now, unofficially, a Canadian citizen. We got the paperwork together and submitted in January.

So, we now have several options in front of us:

1. Australia - Dena's sister will be the sponsor for permanent residency. The necessary materials are ready to go, not submitted yet, and will take at least 18 months to receive the visa.
2. New Zealand - We appear to meet their point system but are still waiting for the initial process to be approved. Once every step is completed, this will take up to 15 months.
3. Canada - A wonderful gift! Unfortunately, another 15 months of wait time.
   

That said, after a year of endless paperwork and funding, we said "enough is enough" and started to think about other options. We could stay in the US for up to two years, even when we have been preparing for year for a new adventure, OR, we could go to Europe! Why not, right?

Thus began 2 weeks of research between Prague and Munich. Neither of us has been to either city (gasp), which may cause people to call us crazy, but to us life is a verb, not a noun!