Congrats Agnes! What a weight off your shoulders.

It was great - the people were lovely and although I was a little (ok a fair bit ) wobbly on my bike, I made it there and back in one pieces as well. The ride in was lovely at 7am but riding back at midday was hell on earth - I am SO not looking forward to doing that tomorro... I think more water is in order and more stops in between Plus my @ss is so sore it feels like I have been perching on a pole all day... which I kinda have... sorta...

There was one lady there who struck me as being a really snobby cow but then you can't have everything - she was talking about her 1100 sq ft home and how it always stays at 85f and if her friends from LA don't like it then they can just not visit as she wouldn't change the thermostat to suit them I thought it was rather rude tbh and didn't mention that we went out to buy a mister for outside for when our friends come to visit... of course it might only be sentiment as we haven't found an available water outlet outside... but we bought a hose too!! Might have to go through the window and tape over the gaps to stop bugs getting in - classy!!


Aww Debz - it is such a pity I am volunteering the next week - typical that when you are around for a change, everyone seems to disappear How are things going with you anyway? I know you just filed AOS this month and have bio coming up - how's your little place coming along? Is it beginning to feel like a home yet?

And Jeremy called me to let me know he will be home in time to make it to the PO - looks like we will be August AOS filers after all!!!

Congratulations!! good to hear it's fairly uncomplicated. enjoy the next two years freedom from paperwork!

StP, I could probably compete on the small wedding front. Ours was much nicer then we ever expected. We were also one of the last couples to get married at our local county hall because the county clerk stopped solemnizing weddings to avoid having to marry gay couples. Crazy!

@aly: i just saw myself with the helmet on a few days ago. i avoided looking in the mirror with it, because i don't want to be tempted to leave it at home because i feel stupid. (and that would be stupid )

I was SOOO unfit when i started riding my bike to work, there aren't even words for it! when i first moved here as a student, i bought this crazy crappy walmart bike for 50 dollars, and i rode it for 2 years!

after moving here, i got a really nice bike, especially with the daily commute of 18 miles. now my bike looks like a pro, and i look like a looser on it, but - oh well

oh, btw, after not having electricity for 2 days, now we don't have water because the pipe on our front porch broke. sweet.

@ debz: i am so happy for you that your inlaws seem to be such amazing people!

I saw myself this morning and thought I looked like a real dork - I figured that as no-one here knows me it is prolly ok though - and Jeremy said I looked good anyway so

How long did it take you to stop getting such a sore @$$?!?!?!? Mine is KILLING me right now and I don't know how I am going to get on the bike again tomorrow!! At least Jeremy managed to change my saddle so I have one that is *supposedly* more comfy

Sucks about the water... for once our things are all ok but I don't want to tempt fate!!! We can't figure out any way to hook up the mister though so we might have to have the hose running through the house at our party!!!

the bikers' a$$ stops after about a week. but if you don't ride your bike for longer than 10 days you will have a sore a$$ again. *sigh*

question: even though we got approved yesterday, the online status didn't change yet and there is no email from CRIS.
any ideas?

Oh noooo!!! Maybe I should get up in the morning when Jeremy goes to work and cycle a couple miles then back again while it is still "cool" I can go to the store or something and pick up fresh fruit/veggies etc Hmmm As it is I only need to cycle like 4 miles a day right now so how you do 18 is beyond me...

Not sure about the e-mail etc but USCIS is crap at updating things anyway so I wouldn't worry too much just yet

Oh - and package for AOS did get sent off today - I am waiting for RFEs now!! Or did I already say that

My thoughts precisely.

CONGRATS!!
we made it without any RFEs and were just purely lucky. we didn't have any certified birth certs or anything with us at the interview and just got lucky that they didn't ask.....

oh, btw, seems to be 99% sure now that we will be at your housewarming party!!!

TY

I am expecting RFEs on the medical stuff but it would be AWESOME if we didn't get it - if we don't then we have saved a bunch of money and if we do then... eh

YIPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I am sooooooooooooo happy you are (99% sure) going to be here!! You can see our crappy little apartment (although am going to at least give it a super-big clean) and lack of furniture!! I am suggesting to others that maybe folding seats might be a plan if you happen to have any as we have one chair and a sofa We're going to struggle on table space for food as well but once the coffee table is back in action we should be ok Kalua pork all round!! YUMMY!!!

Oh - I know you mentioned Eric has allergies - is there anything that is a real major no-no? I don't want to kill him through anaphylactic shock or something...

eric can eat pretty much everything. he should leave his fingers off stuff that has wheat and oats and stuff in it, but he can take medication he usually eats really healthy the week before a party and then digs in....

what can we bring?

YAI!

still no update on USCIS...

Oh goodie I'll try and keep things all separate so he can pick and choose if need be

Bring whatever you want!! You want to stay over or get a hotel? We only have the sofa and the living room gets pretty warm but we can leave the air con on for what it is worth

Things we are kinda pushed for is seating and table space - I am thinking of getting another fold out table from walmart for $10 and a couple of deckchairs from somewhere but if you have any spare then that would be cool I'll have to pick up some paper plates and bowls and things too but that is what the dollar store is for!! Yay!!! Food-wise I think we are ok because we will do a shop, but if you want to bring nibbles then do so by all means! We'll find space somewhere!

I am soo excited - Jeremy is going to have to work both days as it is a holiday weekend but he is going to open the day of the party then close the next day He's having a tough time in work right now and is really fed up with it so he is looking for a new job. Really hope he finds something good fast

we have NO problem at all sitting on the floor! you saw how many chairs we have, and we had 40 people, and everybody was just fine! (we don't have any foldable chairs, sorry )

i'm currently trying to find a cheap place to stay for saturday night, and sunday morning we will head somewhere, still trying to figure out where, but its a long weekend!!!

hope jeremy will find a job he likes soon!

just booked the motel, so we'll be there for sure!!!!

USCIS still has our K1 as received and pending. I wouldnt expect them to update much.



Chris

lol! thanks, that makes me feel better!!!

YIPPEE!!!!!!!!!

You're right about the chairs - I am just concerned that this is going to be more of a small gathering as Jeremy has been lame inviting people!! I'm like - if my friends can travel from all over, then I am sure yours can travel a few miles!!! I'll get on him the next couple of days as he has a couple days off - he is going in to speak to his boss tomorrow though, not to quit (yet) but to ask for advice on the situation...

In other news, I was in the bathroom with Kirsten Dunst last night

YOU WERE WHAT????
is that just a saying or did you really PEE next to her?
does she really have no boobs?

Hahaha - well I came out of the stall and she was with a friend just drying her hands -we just both kinda looked at her - kind of embarrassed I didn't even say hi - I must have seemed rude

And no - she has no boobs She is tiny!

ah, i thought so. apparently she has a big time eating problem and for the last spiderman movie they had to make her look fuller because she lost so much weight between the beginning and the end of the movie.

oh - and it what noble etablissements do you spend your nights that hollywoods VIPs are there?????????????????

i have to get prepared for tutoring tomorrow evening. my motivation is equal 0, but i like the money:)

blurrrg. Need a moan. My bathroom sink wont drain. Tried everything. Land lady and me and Nick had a pool party at the weekend (we live in the basement appartment, she lives on top 2 floors) and someone clogged my sink and didn't even have decency to tell me. Nick and his dad over there trying to fix it. I'm at Nick's rents so I can wash my hands in the bathroom after I've pee'd instead of using the kitchen sink.

Haha - it is the Palm Springs International Short Films Festival and she co-wrote and directed one so she was there along with a bunch of Hollywood directors/famous people I have never heard of It makes for a nice story but I am so not a celeb spotting type so I really didn't care all too much


I'll join you in the moaning. Having a tough couple of days cause my volunteer work ends soon and I am going to go back to doing nothing again which sucks. I am sad that I am going to miss the work. But today was a bit better than yesterday and we cleaned the house, sorted out some things then went to the store and to see some more movies (shorts) before coming back to enjoy a nice evening in with take-out and video games.

Then Jeremy gets the call that one of his managers hasn't shown up and can't be reached on the phone. So he has had to go into work and I am very p*ssed off because it feels like we spent all morning doing the stuff that needed doing and just as we were about to settle in for the evening, he gets called away. I am soooo sick of the incompetent person they promoted to be his "equal" as she just calls him all the time expecting him to deal with everything cause she doesn't have a clue...

Now I bought some cadbury's flakes from World Market and it is all I can do to not eat them all up in one go... I was looking forward to some nice pasta from Pizza Hut but now... well I don't even know when/if Jeremy will be back

aaaaw Aly I'm sorry.


I've just suddenly remembered it's my rents' anniversary tomorrow so just sent them an ecard and will call them tomorrow.

Yeah it totally sucks and I am really annoyed - I mean don't they realise we have lives too?! He said he is going to keep calling the other manager until he manages to get through then will call me to let me know he is coming back but in the meantime... I feel like I should be doing something fun and relaxing (other than VJ ) but I really can't settle into it if I don't know what is going on

Haha - I don't have to worry about wedding anniversaries like that I guess when my brothers get married I should but...

OH! And I can't find a decent 21st birthday card ANYWHERE for my little bro for next month - it really sucks - they are all American and have American references on them! I mean all the terminology and everything - I might just have to find the most over the top American one I can and send it as a joke because...

i have to vent.
ok.
two girls will come visit us in 2 weeks.
one of them i grew up with, the other one i don't know at all. both of them are ROTTEN spoilt (the girl i grew up with is 26 and owns 10 appartments in munich that her parents gave her as a PRESENT).
she told me and all of my family that she will have one empty suitcase to be able to bring things for me and Eric, like our birthday presents from my family and things. My sister (they live in the same city in germany) arranged everything and went MEGA shopping for us. the night before she leaves for the US she calls, freaking out and telling me that she won't bring the presents because she wants to bring more clothes for herself (even though she will go crazy shopping) and then she just hung up on me.

i mean - hello!!! they will live with us for free for 2 weeks, we will feed them and go on trips with them and everything, and she is such a b!tch. i spent most of yesterday crying, because my family tried so hard to get us surprises, and she just left them in germany.

I AM SO MAD AND SAD.

Whoa, this sucks.
You know what, though? You don't owe her anything. Tell her that since it's such a hassle, you'd be more than happy to give her some hotel information for the area (clearly she can afford it). You don't have to let her stay in your home. It's your home. What a b!tch indeed.

Wow, Agnes that is so completely jerky and selfish of her. I hate when people say they'll do one thing and then back out at the last second. I know you must have been really looking forward to some comforts from home. I can't believe she couldn't manage to bring even a few of the things your family bought. I would be mad and sad too. *hugs*

Oh, yeah, I like Rae's advice a lot!

TOTALLY agree with Rae here - I mean, if she is going to be such a first class b!tch then why extend your hospitality to her? I would seriously back out of letting them stay - I thought they were friends of yours but it sounds like they just fancied a holiday and thought they would take advantage of you being here...

I know you said they were not very... worldy wise shall we say... maybe you really *should* send them on a hike into the mountains... preferably about 5pm or so just before it gets dark then maybe they will get lost

But yeah, I *SO* wouldn't let them stay

As for the surprises, I know it would be expensive but would there be no way to mail or ship them?

I liked Rae's advice but Aly's regarding the hike is the best. 3 things that annoy me most are arrogance, ignorance (the real kind, not just not knowing) and self centredness....she seems to be all 3.

And people who are just out for themselves and really don't care about other people - I just don't understand that - I do everything I can to be the nicest person I can and it frustrates me when I see people just being complete arseholes - makes me want to just punch them on the nose

i just really can't believe what a mean person she was on the phone. i will give her the money to ship the things.
she just totally lacks to see how important those things from my family were for me.

i would rather have no visitors at all than being so disappointed.

I HATE IGNORANT people. *sigh*

thanks for listening....


i'll bake chocolate cake now.
cake anybody?

YAI!
i just received my welcome letter in the mail today!!!

holy cow, it's true, its real, i'm officially stuck here!!!

cake and champagne anybody?

oooooo gimme gimme gimme....mmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!!!

cake AND champagne?!?! Count me in!


Actually I had champagne on Monday when I ordered my gown.

oh, Agnes, that is just HORRIBLE of your 'friend'
it leaves you in a very difficult position, because I'm sure you don't want to be as ungracious as she has been, and yet I'm sure a lot of the pleasure has gone from the visit... I'm so sorry
at the very least, you can be thankful you're lovely you, and not horrible her
but maybe don't SAY that to her

pics, pics, pics!!!! Please!!!

Agnes, I'll have cake, please, but no champers for me. I don't like it!

haha, no, DO say it to her.


Okay, pic on the lovely model, and on me:

Ohhh Rae, your dress is absolutely lovely! Stunningly elegant. You look so fantastic - better than that model! It really suits you! Thanks for sharing the pics!

rae, so absolutely GORGEOUS!!!!!
it looks so much better on you than on the model!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


the cake is absolutely fantastic, it's a really rich, moist chocolate cake, with a cup of coffee in the dough.

Awww, thank you both, you're too sweet.

how much are pronovias dresses btw? I never dared trying one on because i was afraid of even looking at the price tag. *sigh* i wish i wouldn't have been that cheap.
pronovias dresses are soooo gorgeous.

They have a VERY large range. I believe I may have seen one in the catalogue for as little as $1600, but some of them are over $10k! Actually I believe the general idea is that the ones that are actually Pronovias range from $1500-$3000. Then they have other lines, Manuel Mota (which I personally found absolutely gorgeous), Elie Saab, Valentina Sposa, and a vintage collection, which start at $3k and go up up up. The gown I ordered was $2200. I told myself not to try on anything over $3000. But then on my first visit, some of the dresses I tried were recommendations from the assistant helping me. On my second visit I took a look at the prices in their books again and realized I had tried on one that was $5900! *Really* glad I didn't get my heart set on that one!

Someone told me that a lot of bridal salons charge extra for alterations, do you know if that's true? At Pronovias they told me they are included in the price of the dress. Maybe I got a tiny bit of a deal? haha. Well either way I stayed in the range I wanted to and love my dress, so it's all good.

Hey Aly, I have a question for you: How did you find your planner? I'm strongly considering using one since I am so unfamiliar with Montreal and am not having the best of luck finding resources online. I know you were really happy with yours. I guess I feel a bit awkward since I feel like using one in the first place equals a really high price tag, but I seem to remember yours kept you within budget and you loved her. Did you find her online or by word of mouth or what? Did she charge you a percent of your overall budget? And when you told her what your budget was, was that your total figure, including costs that she wouldn't have anything to do with, like your dress, or did you tell her a figure that was outside of those costs?

Rae that dress is gorgeous. You look stunning.

Thanks Debz!

Just need to vent a little.

The June AOS filers thread is bugging me. This one person, every single time they post they talk about how they wish something would happen with their case already. They already have their EAD and AP approvals though, so I guess they expect to get their GC approval within 3 months ?!

Sorry, just annoys me when people have no patience and have to make the same exact complaint every single day. If nothing were happening with it, like with Marta's, that would be one thing. But to already have EAD and AP and continue to complain...

meh.

I'm an August AOS filer and I'm banning myself from impatient moaning until early November. Of course I'll be over the moon if anything happens before then. Oh and in the case of an RFE moaning is allowed.

YAY!!! Bring the cake and champagne to the party!!! Babbles is going to see if she can make it as well as she is re-active on VJ Jeremy *still* hasn't invited anyone


Oh Rae - the dress looks gorgeous!! I bet you are totally made up that you have it - just don't get it fitted just yet in case you put on a few pounds I look sooo funny when I wore my dress for the UK reception as I had the dress fitted over six months before - my boobs are up to my chin

As for the planner, we never intended to get one - we looked up weddingy things in the area we were in on google and marked them on a map, then went to the first one at the west of town and were going to work our way east. As it happened, the first place we went to was a planner and we had no idea - we got chatting and really hit it off with Heather, explained our situation and budget restrictions and if they could work their fee into our budget and they were nothing less than accommodating - every bizarre request (lack of license/certificate, letter to "confirm" we were able to postpone the wedding - we just had to assure them in writing we wouldn't hold them to it!!) was no problem to them and we were able to pick and choose everything we wanted - it helped a lot because they were able to e-mail us websites of vendors they used for cakes/flowers etc - I sent photos of what I wanted and a swatch of the bridesmaids dresses so they could match colours - they made things very easy and we made some good friends

If you can't go in to meet them personally then definitely speak on the phone - Jeremy and I left the place, sat in his van, looked at each other with big grins and went out to lunch - we didn't even visit anywhere else because we were so convinced - I think we got lucky though - I am sure it is advisable to shop around - fees may differ (our fees were 25%). But generally, if you hit it off with someone then go for it - I was sooo not worried about the logistics of the wedding - I was more nervous about entering the US and the actual big event of getting married - as for the ceremony and reception - I really didn't have a care in the world and it was great


Haha - I'm not even going to moan at an RFE (well... maybe a little) cause I know that I took a chance sending things in as I did - I figure I'll just deal with it - we're not in any rush now I really don't see the point in moaning about it unless you really need EAD/AP to make an important event (like Marta) or because you can barely afford to live on one income...

I think if I see people moaning I might have to just be even more happy to annoy them

it's just all so weird, why do people get all worked up because of their AOS? I mean, after getting your EAD and AP, it doesn't really matter how long it takes.
i have to admit that i got really anxious because while all the other february filers already had their GC, i didnt even have my interview appointment letter.

I guess that many people get all worked up about it because they are so used to worrying about the status that they forget to enjoy the time with their spouses. Or they can't wait to have their GC so they can move along and get a divorce.
scam is out there.

Poke everybody