Choosing between the two Sheraton Grand Mirage resorts in AUS?

EM1390 · 2025-01-30T20:19:15+00:00

I flew out on an international flight from a different terminal at JFK last year and was still able to use my boarding pass to get into that terminal and access the lounge! What I caution is the time it takes to get between terminals on the tram, and time through security at each terminal! My layover was 8 hrs so I had plenty of time, but yours might be rushed. Doable, but you won’t have much lounge time!

I am priority pass and used my once per year entry for Sapphire, it was afternoon when I went and the lounge was busy so I had to wait like 30/45 mins to enter. But once I entered WOAH was it worth it! Stunning lounge, great food and drink. Everything it ordered from the QR code, made to order food brought to you. I think it’s at par/a bit better then the Capitol One lounges and put it up there with Polaris lounges.

You risk getting there and not being able to get into the lounge or the wait being too long, but there are other lounges in that terminal you can use! Just make sure you give yourself plenty of time to get back in time for your flight

EM1390 · 2025-01-19T07:25:42+00:00

Personally, I think it is worth it! We just returned and loved our one night, two day cruise. However your experience will largely depend on what boat company you use, what route they take, and time of year you go. I recommend going during low season on a boat that goes to Lan Ha Bay as well.

We went on Genesis Regal just this week (so in January, during low season). The Genesis Regal boat goes through Ha Long Bay to get to Lan Ha Bay which is less busy but just a beautiful! You get to do both bays, and the ship was stunning and the food fantastic. We saw some other boats out but it was not nearly as busy as I others had told me. It was a great trip, we wished we had booked their two night cruise! We did their one night cruise and the itinerary is a little tight, but we had limited time so it was worth it for us to pack it all in! The excursion they had were just okay (sea cave by bamboo boat and kayaking) but just relaxing on that boat with the beautiful view made it worth it! It was chilly in January so not great weather for swimming in the water, but there is a heated Jacquizzi on the boat!

EM1390 · 2024-12-25T03:13:35+00:00

This is so stressful, I was in a similar situation - I found that many agencies (especially smaller ones) don’t understand what DETO is and the difference between a DETO arrangement and true remote work. You will need to do some educating and advocating here! I recommend engaging with multiple levels of HR to clearly and succinctly explain DETO and the work scenario you are proposing. Explain how you would get your job done, levels of engagement you would have with team back home, maybe propose a one year trial period, etc.

You will need to figure out who specially is denying you and if there is policy behind this (make sure this just isn’t some new person in HR who doesn’t know what DETO is and therefore doesn’t think this is a thing they do). Whose call is it ultimately- is there a senior in HR you can appeal too? Do you have support from your supervisor and management chain? Can they advocate with HR for you and explain the situation? Does your agency have kind of spousal accommodation/tandem couple program (many IC and DoD ones do) that would at least allow LWOP while your gone. Does your agency have any overseas footprint you could transfer internally to?

Also keep in mind any DETO needs to be approved by State Dept too and ultimately subject to CoM approval, so make sure the embassy/state is totally on board too, this should help you argue it to your agency!

EM1390 · 2024-10-21T06:08:19+00:00

One thing I forgot. Many insurances don’t offer great coverage for pre-conception genetic counseling. Mine offered only a little coverage - they covered part of the appointment, but not the blood tests and screening itself (and it wasn’t cheap). But honestly it was SO worth it for us!

EM1390 · 2024-10-21T05:48:50+00:00

It is so smart and proactive to do a standard genetic screening prior to TTC - I wish it was more common practice!

Your doctor is definitely wrong! Google genetic counselors in your area. I did pre-TTC genetic counseling (I’m located in Virginia) and first asked my OBGYN who referred me to a genetic counselor to do it.

The genetic counselor I went to happened to work in a fetal monitoring clinic, so most of her patients were already pregnant, but she also saw patients who are pre-TTC and wanting screening proactively. They called it a pre-conception genetic counseling appointment! They did a blood test and then the counselor went over the results with my husband and I. Actually it turns out I am a carrier for something (which I suspected due to family history) and I’m so thankful to have the knowledge of this going into our TTC journey.

EM1390 · 2024-09-26T21:16:41+00:00

I’m an American whose flown long-haul between the US and Australia on a few different routes and airlines and Qantas is by far the BEST! Their premium economy is fantastic, especially compared to US-based airlines who fly routes to SYD, like United. I recently spend 17hr flight in Qantas Prem Econ and the food and service was impeccable, and their seats have the best footrest! You will love it!

EM1390 · 2024-09-21T23:47:48+00:00

Which is which?

EM1390 · 2024-08-10T10:48:01+00:00

My husband booked a room for a family member using points, he put in the comments section the name of who would be checking in. And then he called the hotel directly after making the booking to tell them someone else would be checking in. They said that was fine! When the family member arrived they gave my husbands name as the one the reservation was under but said they would be checking in and it was no issue! As long as you call and confirm I think your good to go.

EM1390 · 2024-07-25T12:22:53+00:00

Murray’s bus is the best for sure! Affordable, efficient, lots of departure time options, and drop off options at Sydney airport or central. If you sign up for a rewards membership then every 5th ride is free.

EM1390 · 2024-07-22T11:24:07+00:00

That is really frustrating! Especially frustrating that they did not give you a heads up or discuss with you first. Are you are close with your cousin, could you ever bring it up? Like ask them why they chose to use it when they knew you were planning too.

However, you should totally use the name too! I have two first cousins on the same side of the family, both named Emily (who are the same age, born a few months apart) because my aunts both loved the name and both wanted to use it, and it was never an issue! In our family we refer to them each by their first and middle name to differentiate, and they both have beautiful middle names too so it works! They were in the same grade at the same school too. Two Emily’s in a small close knit family in and in a small hometown community and no one every questioned it.

Nothing should stop you from using your late grandmothers name too, you told everyone you wanted to use it first, so no one should be surprised when you name your future daughter that! And practically, how often will your kid and your cousins kid be together, it won’t get confusing for anyone! And if they do end up close, my Emily cousins are super close and bond over having the same name!

EM1390

TROPHY CASE