thanks Gaye for ur sincere support i hope u will get the visa very soon don't worry, if u have to then call the embassy! but i am sure u will get it
lynda and keith, me and Herol we r really try the worst waiting ever!!!
but Thank God we are praying and hoping we ll have it very soon inshallah.
there is also "kimiko and carl" and "obim"
and "nicole" who just got the approval 05/17

You haven't called yet? Don't wait until June 10th, call now.

If you don't remember, it worked for us. I only waited 30 days to call, but the person I spoke to couldn't have been nicer. I simply explained that we had returned the RFE a while ago and were wondering what was going on with our case. She suspiciously said that 'just yesterday' it was re-assigned to our adjudicator and sent to their desk. Two days later we were approved.

I really do believe that RFE cases just get lost in the shuffle, and that they are well aware of that.

If you don't get results the first time, or the person is rude, just call back. And call again each week until you do get approved. After waiting 60 days, calling once a week is in no way excessive. Afterall, the RFE letter TELLS you to call!

Don't worry, the approval will come through. Soon.

I teach high school (ages 15-18), so my experience is slightly different than at the elementary level. I consulted a colleague who has more elementary expertise. At the high school level, most students already have set skills (math and reading), and the majority of classes are content, not skills based. At the elementary level, though, instruction is centered around learning skills such as reading and math. As a result, missing time at school puts children at a disadvantage.

My friend told me that missing the first couple of weeks should not be a problem, but anything beyond that could make them fall behind. Our nation is standardized-test crazy (scores are EVERYTHING), so schools start earlier and earlier with skills preparation for the tests. Based on their ages, your daughter should be entering 5th grade, and your son should be entering 3rd grade. If English is not their first or primary language, they may be given a test to measure their English proficiency. Depending on the scores, they may be placed in a class for limited English (in FL we call it English for Speakers of Other Languages-ESOL).

If you go on the state Department of Education (DOE) site for North Carolina, they can give you more information about testing and entering your children in school.

I hope this helps a little...

It sucks that Vermont is so slow at replying to RFEs! I hope that you and Herolmounia receive your NoA2s as soon as possible, Lynda! Good luck with calling them - I hope you're put in contact with a sympathetic person.

Sally - it's good that you're able to get it free on the NHS, but argh at NHS waiting times! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you getting an appointment soon...

Well originally the nhs said i had to pay for it because i had a private medical, but my doctor fought the case and said shes entitled to free care while she is a british citizen and explained that the private medical indicated a further check was needed, and he then said we now need to do this on the nhs, and four phone calls later they agreed, I have a most wonderful doctor here, He then told me not to worry, hopefully it will be clear but if its not we will take the problem from there. I just dont want to battle with Knightsbridge doctors and if its clear i will expect them to release my medical papers to the embassy so my visa can be sent to me. we shall have to see.

Thank you very much Dawn. This has indeed helped. I'm checking DOE-MC now.

Crossing fingers, toes and all things that can be crossed for you Sally.. I hope and pray that you will be able to share good news re: medical this week.

Lynda, Karen is right, you shouldn't wait for June 10, try calling this Monday.

Mounia, I hope you could also convince Herol to call again, who knows this time you guys will get lucky and be able to speak to a nicer fellow.

I hope and pray that this week will bring good news to everybody.

Can everyone believe it's June already? I'm turning 25 this week AND I'm getting married a week from Saturday.

Hey everyone, we just wanted to share our good news. We had our interview today in Amsterdam and were approved!!!! We are sitting at a local Irish pub toasting our success! Soooooo happy!! Good luck to those waiting!

Congrats

Congratulations imtay!

Thinking of you Sally!

Happy Bday and good luck next saturday Nicole.

Gaye.. hope you hear something soon!

I'm psyched it's June and hope this is our month!!!

Congratulations!

KitEEgirl - I know! Where on earth did May go? And a pre-emptive happy birthday! I'm 25 this summer, too.

Sal - aw, that was so good of your doctor! I have a real fear of doctors (in spite of, or perhaps because , my brother and aunt are doctors) so I enjoy hearing about doctors who are lovely and helpful. Good luck dealing with Knightsbridge.

Congratulations imtay



my baby Herol just called the lawyer, didnt find him hopefuly he will call back later today, and he also called USCIS he talked to a man who told him "u should call june 8th and do not expect a decision it might be only a response for the RFE "( is it good or they need something else)

june 6th is approaching! worried and excited at the same time!

Good luck with the interview my prayers with u

NO NO NO NO NO!!!!!!!!!!

Why didn't anyone tell us NOT to send Packet 3 back Return Receipt?????

Virtually everyone who sent theirs back the week we had have gotten their interview dates, some as early as June 9th.

I just got off the phone with the State Dept, hoping to hear that the date has been assigned, but no. The person I spoke with was surprised we hadn't gotten a date, but soon figured out why. She said that sending it signature required to London can add UP TO TWO MONTHS to the wait for an interview date. Then, you need to wait for the interview itself!!!

That means our interview could be 4 MONTHS FROM NOW.

Why why why do WE get stuck with these stupid delays??

I told him to mail off a second copy in the regular mail, as it will most likely get processed BEFORE the original set. But he is working 12 hour days for the next two weeks, and cannot get to the post office at all until after then. That means we will lose AT LEAST another month in this process.

I cannot take it. I cannot. I'm ready to give it here for good.

I'm so sorry to hear that, Karen...hopefully they're just padding the time to cover themselves...

If it makes you feel better, I sent my P3 back with signiture requested and I got my interview date within 2 weeks. I dont think it'll delay you. I got my date very fast.

It does make me feel better. I still have hope. That's all I can have, right?

Thank you!

Still no news of the NVC receiving your petition?

I forgot to tell you guys this..

We went to get our marriage license on Friday. I first called them on the phone to make sure we had all the necessary paperwork. When we got there, they said, "oh no you didn't tell us he was on a work visa".. I said.. why would I tell you he was? He's here on a fiance visa.. "Well his social security card says otherwise!"... ummmmmmm no his social security card says he's not eligible to work.. LOOK AT HIS VISA!

After some bickering and some phone calls to the boss, they got it resolved. We live in a little hick town and they probably haven't seen many cases like ours...but come on! The United States government approved us, no way it little Putnam County, TN going to tell me no

THEN we went to the bank to find out why he hasn't received his bank card and stuff yet. So they looked up our account and it turns out they didn't even put HIS name on our account, but rather was what immediately under his picture on his passport (the name of his birth city). This was after they argued with me that a passport isn't valid ID.. I guess I upset that guy so much that he really screwed up. According to the bank, my fiance's name is now "Stadt Bottrop" which translated from German means city of Bottrop (where he is from). The bank clerk we spoke with on Friday was cracking up at the other branch's mistake. They finally sorted everything out, but still!

Tomorrow he's going to try to get a driver's license issued.... This should be funny

You will get that interview date soon Karen.

Nicole: everything's going great for you guys.. and Marco has a new name, what a way to start a new life


Ricky, called up USEM earlier today and they told him that our visa was finally approved for issuance last Thursday, May 29 and is already with the delivery company... I recieved a text from the delivery company that our visa are in transit to our place already so I am hoping and praying to receive it anytime this week.

Oh man! Sorry, all of it must be really awkward and tedious to have to deal with, but his 'new' name is just so funny!

Good luck with getting a driver's license!

NVC have received my petition, I just don't have the exact date from Alex to enter into my timeline. I should ask him!

SO happy for you Rachel, it should be super fast now, usually our papers only stay a day or two at the NVC and off it goes to embassy.

FINALLY!!! VISA in Hand 6:20 PM, June 3, Philippine time.... WOOHOO!! I am soo Happy!

Of course, I won't be leaving till 1st week of September but still I am really happy that I now have the visa in my hands and we could finally purchase the ticket and finalize our plans... and most importantly, I won't have to deal with embassy people here in my home country anymore.

Praise be to GOD always!!!

Congratulations dbears!
Now make sure you keep your passport in a safe place, so you don't lose it during the summer!

Big congratulations Gaye you deserve it
so happy for you!

Congratulations dbears!

I'm so glad you finally have your visa! Now you still have to wait, but at least in the meantime you have no more visa issues to worry you!

Good Morning;

When I came to this country 29 years ago I started school 2 months late. I have a lot of family members that came to the states and started school in the middle of the semester. They'll be fine. Wishing you the best.

One Love,

Trelawny

Thanks for the reminders Cez, I'm keeping the mysterious brown envelop in a secure place also where the rats wont get it.




Thanks Mounia... we all deserve our visa coz we all deserve to be happy with the person we have chosen to love.




Thank you Rach.. that is soo true... at least I can focus now on really spending quality time with my family and friends and also in looking for wedding gown designs.




Thanks a lot Trew, this has helped lessen my worries.

Congrats on the VIH (visa in hand!!!), Gaye!!!

HOOOOORAY!! I am so happy to hear it Gaye! Congratulations!

Thank you very much Dawn and Nicole.

Nicole, advance BEST WISHES!!! the big day is getting nearer for you!!

An off topic question that has been asked many times and discussed....

How do your friend's treat you and your fiance? Does everyone seem different now? Almost like they are curious to hear the story and how everything is going..but just... distant almost?

First off, Big Congrats to Gaye!!!!!!!


2nd.. feels like I haven't been on in forever and its only been a week and a busy week at that.


and my friend's don't seem different but everyone that hears his accent want to know the story. I feel like everyone knows who I am and how we met. and I have my mum telling everyone.


Hope everyone is doing well!!

My friends just seem to be happy that I'm happy...I sometimes wonder what it will be like when he finally gets here...32 days, but who's counting?

Wooooooooooohooooooooooooooooo!!!! Congratulations Gaye!!!! So happy for Ricky, You and your kids!!!!




Congratulations!!!!!!!!

I hope everyone is doing well ... it's been a busy week and a half since Stephen and I came home!!! Between the continued wedding planning, waiting to go get SSN# for him, and adding Youth Soccer Coach to his list (he went to check out the leagues here and they recruited him for a volunteer coaching position) we are quite busy. And I say we, because somehow I was volunteered to be the team manager ... for 11 9-year old boys!!!!! Also add in that we decided to start eating healthier and getting up at 6AM every morning to workout ... But we are glad to be "home" and just waiting to move on with the next steps.

For all the recent approvals I might have missed, Congratulations!!! For those still waiting for NOA2, we hope you get them so very soon!!!


And for Sally -- you've been in my thoughts. Hope everything goes well with the continued medical!!

Thanks Amanda the ct scan is on the 13th, just my luck Friday the 13th lol

Gaye...CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Oh my goodness, Nicole! How frustrating! Wouldn't it be nice if at least ONE person/organization could get something right!? Good luck at the DMV!

Regarding friends.... Since Russell has already lived here for over a year, most of the people around me already know him pretty well. He does get the silly questions like "do your toilets flush the opposite way"...etc. Most people are quite curious, and usually shocked, about the process and ask a lot of questions.

Sal... i'll be thinking of you and wishing you well on Friday. I'm sure it's just routine but jeeeesh another stress is not what you need! Keep us posted!

FOR ALL THE CONGRATS:

As for friends, they are happy for me but some of them did give Ricky a sermon on sanctity of marriage and etc. Most of my friends, the closest ones were quiet worried about me after they learned that Ricky has been divorced 3x in the past. My friends are just concerned because they have seen how I have been hurt before and have struggled to raise my two kids on my own and they told Ricky that they just don't want to see me hurt again. Well, I have been assuring them that we will be getting re-marriage counseling prior to tying the knot, it won't assure a 100% successful marriage but at least it will help a lot.

As for Ricky's friends, I don't know what they think... yet.

Amanda: Maybe that is the career change you have been looking for, to be team manager for 9-11year old boys. ... I am sure you are having a blast.. at least you are doing it with Stephen by your side.

Sally: You will change the course of history... after your ct scan, friday the 13th will be known to bring GOOD LUCK instead of bad.

Sending you positive energies and loads of prayers.

Kim: I hope you will have your NOA2 soonest...

I also continue to hope and pray that everybody waiting will get their NOA2 soonest... Herolmounia, Keith & Lynda, and all the January CSC filers who are still waiting for NOA2 as well as those who have been waiting since last year.

I am sure this time ur husband Ricky will know ur true value and he won't hurt you , u r a wonderful person!
i just don't understand what is getting re-marriage counseling prior to tying the knot??
i wish and pray for u to have the happiest life with the person u've shosen
thank u Gaye u were a support and u still a main support for me in visajourney,
my Fiance called the USCIS and he talked to a man who told him he souldn't call before the 8th or 9th june, and they are still working on November petitions, and even if we called the 9 th june he said we shouldn't expect a decision on our case they might give us just the a response for the RFE( is it what they need or they need something else), our attorney said they might tell us to wait 60 days more !!!! which makes me feel more worried to wait all that time then they deny us thats not fair!!

My heart truly breaks for you.. it is hard to imagine that in the midst of rejoicing for interview passed, VISAs received and even reunion with love ones, there are still a few January VSC filers who are still waiting for NOA2.

I just hope you still know that there are still people praying and hoping the best for you. I hope and pray that you will have enough strength to continue this battle till the end.

Yes, our hearts and prayers are with you!!!

Thank you guys
you, his love and Faith in God give me strength to wait more, we waited more than we will wait anyway
hopefuly they send us a decision next monday,praying to GOD they will

Well, I bought a dress for my courthouse wedding (in July)...if anyone has ever met me in person, I hardly ever wear skirts or dresses, so the fact that I bought a dress signifies a special occasion...

Four weeks from today, Darren comes home...I need to start scrubbing the apartment from top to bottom; I want it to be sparkling when he gets here!!!

hehe for the courthouse one I got a lil summery bright yellow dress we are going to cape cod right after and i wanted to be able to wear it while i'm there as well. i'm exdcitedddd anyone else purchase a dress for the courthouse wedding?

Well the fun starts tomorrow! His family gets in to town tomorrow night, then my Grandma gets in Wednesday, and the rest of my family on Friday!!

I so want to try my dress on again but I can't... it's in the cardboard that makes it keep the right form and it's all pressed and ready to go. Only bummer is... that it's supposed to rain all week...

OH WELL!! 5 more days and we are married!!!

woo congratz im excited and happy for you!