WOOWEE!!! BIG BIG CONGRATS!!!!

congratz!!

Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

wooo I didn't want to say anything because I was so nervous and thought i was going to fail, but i took my driving test and i passed He said I did excellent. I put it off for so long cause the idea of this test stressed me out and gave me anxiety but I forced myself not do it but now I am licensed to drive yay Wasn't as bad as I thought it would be , I'm so glad I finally did it, one less thing to worry about hehe
Happy Friday you guys!

WOOO HOOO!!!! Congratulations!!!



Congrats on the driving test!!!! All kinds of good news today!!!

Everyone is off and quiet again Must be the weekend!!!

Hope everyone is doing well!!!!

Just came home from a grant study trip in St. Augustine...am tired and probably going to bed soon....

I can understand that, I've been re-arranging furniture and cleaning out the closets & dressers -- trying to figure out how to make room for Stephen's stuff!!!

LOL.. I totally can relate. I told Marco he was going to have to put his stuff in the spare closet! I have a walk-in closet in my bedroom, but.....I somehow like my space...

Here is a website of our house if anyone wants to see. It was up for sale at one point, but we decided to just stay here...My family is from Pittsburgh, and we were going to move back to Pittsburgh so that we could atleast be near one of our families. I got a substantial raise so it'd be foolish for us to leave now.... I got my Mom to move down here though! Now we are working on my Grandma ... My grandma is really cute. She can say literally 2 words in German and thinks she can speak it because of it...

http://www.ourhouseforsale.741.com/

What a nice home!!! Darren is going to come to an apartment, but we're going to start looking for townhouses (I hate living above/below someone!!!)...

very nice house

Thank you

Where we live has an extremely low cost of living.... sooo it's cool

Indeed, nice house!! Cost of living used to be low around here, but there has been a huge influx of people moving in, so prices have skyrocketed!!!!

We are only going to stay in this area for a few years ... then move West!

How far west are you planning to go?

I'm hoping Alex and I will be able to stay in California, but the cost of renting here may force us out of state.

Not that far west We are planning to move to Montana or Wyoming.

I'd love to move to Washington state or Oregon....

Yes, Washington State or Oregon would be nice also. But we are attracted more to the wide open land in Montana & Wyoming. Nothing is set in stone, impossible to be at this point And just because that's where we want to go, doesn't mean that is where we will end up. Just have to take it one day at a time and see what happens!!!

I never thought I'd say this..

I am in a different country, talking to my fiance who is in the US.........and I was the petitioner!

I'm in Canada on business....this sucks! (not the being in Canada part, just being away so soon!)

Goodness, I had to read that statement twice ....

You'll be back with him soon!!!!!

And he'll be waiting for you!!!

Aww but it must be nice knowing his waiting for you to come home.

Oh no, just as soon as you're reunited, too!

greeneyedgirlfl - those two states are where Alex would like to move to, too! They'll be where we head for if California ends up being too hot/expensive.

Amanda+Stephen - I'm with you on taking each day as it comes. Although I'm not with you on liking wide open spaces!

Hi Everyone

Sorry if ive been quiet lately, but been really fed up since my medical. I know its there error but all the same it scared me so much. I so dont want to be the only one denied on the interview list.

Has anyone heard from Ali regarding thier interview.

Good luck to everyone waiting for interviews.

Sal

lol I actually had to read this a couple of time and had to let my mind go over it for a couple of hours but now I finally get it

Anyways, hold on tight, I'm sure you'll be together soon again

I don't know, I was born & raised in the big city, moved to North Carolina as a teenager, have lived in NYC and Houston after college, and came back here to NC. We don't want to move out to the boonies We just like the countryside there ... we've already both said, has to be within 1 hour (no more) from a relatively large city, although those are few and far between in that part of the country

I've noticed many of you guys talking about traveling a lot for work, working from home, having very flexible jobs, being able to take your job to any state/country, etc - my dream job essentially. I was just curious what you do and what company?? I don't mean to pry - I'm an international business major and I've landed in Houston and temporarily working in HealthCare. I lived overseas throughout all of high school so I definitely have the international background too.

Throughout the past couple of years I've posted my resume on all the job sites and even looked at USAjobs.gov but haven't found anything quite right. I'd love to do something relating to international business or international relations but can't seem to get my foot in the door. I previously worked for a non-profit (a whole whopping 2 employees - me and the director) that was in the international field but it happened to be in Utah and I really needed a change of scenery/pace after a couple of years.

Any insight or input is extremely appreciated! You all have been the best regarding the k1 visa portion of my life and so I figured you may be able to provide expertise on the occupational side as well since you all seem to be doing very interesting things. Today is my birthday and it's always then I feel like I haven't accomplished what I want career wise.

Thanks in advance!!

Well firstly, Happy Birthday!!!!!

I know that feeling, the once a year, haven't accomplished what I want, I think we all do that, meaning reflect back on what are goals were/are and figure out what we hit and what we missed!!!

As for the job ... I've been in advertising research for almost 13 years now. I spent a few years as an analyst, and then moved into research operations, where I've now been stuck for 10+ years. I kind of just fell into it. I do currently telecommute -- I spent a little over one year in the corporate offices back in 1999 and I didn't like the location, and I was searching for a new job, and my boss was onto me, so he worked with department heads to allow me to work from home. I left that company a few years later to work for another advertising research company, and worked in management with them (while telecommuting). Then the fatal turn, 5 years later, the company I first worked for, acquired the company I left them for!!! Anyhow, long and short of it, I do statistical & data programming for clients, to help them determine target markets. And I'm very fortunate that my company believes in telecommuting, and that it doesn't matter where you do it from, as long as you get your work done!

I don't hate it, but don't love, love, love it anymore. I know it like the back of my hand, and it still has exciting moments, but I don't see myself in it for the next 30 years!!!! I'm contemplating a career change, however, that has been put on hold while we go through the immigration process.

Do you have your resume posted online? A lot of recruiters surf monster.com and other career sites looking at resumes. I've always left mine up there and still get hits from time to time. Or have you thought about working with a recruiting agency? I'm sure the job market is tight right now, because of the economic situation, but I would think a government job would be a good match, not that those are always easy to come by. Have you thought about starting in state level government, or even local to get your feet in?

Thank you for the info/tips! The hardest part of posting my resume on monster is figuring out what to name it. Haha. The economic situation also gives me anxiety - I have a habit of becoming restless very quick it seems. Or maybe it's due to the Houston weather right now...

Oh, I feel the same way bout the "title" of the online posting. One time, years ago, I changed the heading to say "Look At Me, Look At Me" Got all kinds of crazy hits that didn't apply to me at all!!! You are not alone in the restlessness, I hate when the economy is like this. I'm even heartfelt about Stephen coming here, knowing the job market is tight right now. He keeps telling me he doesn't care what job he gets at first, but that it will be easier to get another one having one to start with!

Houston weather??? I miss Houston weather ... I must be crazy!!!! After living there 6 years, I just got used to the heat & humidity!!!

I'm going back to college in the fall, I went before for medical assisting got nationally certified and could never find a job for it :S It got so popular and then there were no jobs available for it so 'm changing my major to nursing. I will be cutting my hours in sept for my pharmacy job and I was wondering if that would affect the AOS? We would be filing in July. I would be a full time college student and working about 30 hrs a week, maybe less. Any insight would be greatly appreciated !

I know I am late but as the cliche goes, better late than never.

BELATED HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

I am also interested in what others could share about jobs in the US.

I have worked in field sales most of my life and then went into retail business in the past few years. I still want to go into small business when I get to the US but as of now I still don't have any idea what business to start there yet... and of course start up capital will also be a factor coz our savings has been eaten by this immigration process already (the cost is times 3 for us).

As of now, I just want to find a job that will be able to let me work from home. Even simple data encoding will do as a start.

Awww you are so sweet. Thank you!!

When you get to the states definitely post a resume on Monster.com. Also, I worked for a staffing agency a couple of years ago as a data entry specialist - if I had proper connections at home then I could have done it from home too. So see what temp agencies have to say to start off with.
I went on to USAjobs.gov yesterday and found a bunch of positions that seemed to be right up my alley. Only problem is they are in different states and not many are as willing to offer relocation help - we too are now dirt poor because of immigration and this last trip (I couldn't have waited any longer to see him again it was too too hard - I admire you all for how much patience you have).

I love this idea!

I know that in the UK temp staffing agencies can be very useful; although timing is also key. I try not to think about how I'll have to job hunt in the US because I'm really dreading it. I'm hoping to not only find a job, but to find a job that'll support both Alex and myself in California. Ouch!

I was just frustrated at the job system here when I did that with my resume!!! But it got me lots of hits!!!

I can only imagine the stresses in moving to a new country, and looking for a job, etc. I worry about my job being enough salarywise until Stephen can find a job. Especially with the other immigration expenses and upcoming wedding expenses too! But I've got faith in myself, and him, that we will find our way through (or live like hobbits!!!)

And yes, US staffing agencies were very helpful to me when I packed up my life, without a job, and moved to Houston the first time. There are a lot of different resources to help you find jobs, it's just knowing about them, or taking the time to find them!!!

Darren is getting so nervous about finding a job here in FL...available jobs are mostly outside jobs or service jobs, neither pay much (which worries him).

I can understand that, i have the same worries its gonna be a huge culture shock for us both.

I have started to read up on AOS and also of what to do when Liam first arrives in the US. A driver's license won't be issued unless the I-94 won't expire for 6 months. What determines the I-94 expiration date?? The date of entry?? Figured we'd all be in the same boat soon and so it might be beneficial to post it here. Thanks!

Different states have different rules regarding drivers license. NC will issue one, but it will expire when the K-1/I-94 expires ....

I tell ya, the process afterwards doesn't seem to get much better! Other than you can deal with it together

I totally agree!!

I just found out yesterday that Damian isn't suppose to be driving with his international drivers license.. because PA is so strict! and he's been driving every visit haha. the only reason we thought he could drive was because the insurance company said he could. but I think hes going to continue to drive anyways and he says he will plead ignorance if he does get pulled over. I am soo worried that he won't be able to get a drivers license right away. He already bought a car here a few months ago. i should do more research about drivers licenses....

The UK has a much stricter driving exam and we all have to pass in a manual transmission car, yet we still permit Americans to come over here and drive for a year with their driving licenses.

The roundabouts in England would make me crazy...just being in the passenger side was almost too much. I'd have to live in London so I could take public transport!

You should come to Sheffield! We have so many roundabouts and one way streets here that people who've lived here for 40 years still sometimes get lost!

Everyone I know who has driven in this city calls it the worst place to drive in.

I loved when he drove through round abouts over there it was so fun! never seen anything like it hehe I miss it! lol

Oh, I agree. Heck, I have difficulty remembering to look right when crossing the streets on foot in the UK!!! Thank goodness it's written on the road ... but dang those roads where it isn't!!!

There is a city in England called Milton Keynes that is built on a grid system, and at the end of each road is a roundabout. lol.

haha.. we went to milton keynes the last time i was in england! there are soooo many roundabouts. we had to go through 10 just to get to our hotel haha I'm always in charge of counting the round about and telling him which way to go on them!

lol

Ok everyone, I leave this afternoon for Australia. My stomach is in knots like I'm forgetting something... I hope it's nothing too major! Could be anxiety... It'll be a LONG trip - 30 hours of travel or something crazy like that. Anyway, wish you all the best of luck and will let you know about the interview after the 20th. Thanks for all of your support!!

Have a great trip and good luck