YES, or at least by a week thereafter. The VJ sample (perhaps statistically valid) seems to reveal 5 months as the common time-until-approval.

Re-read my post of later yesterday (in response to Mox, I believe) about an approach to take during your next phone call. They at least owe you the information of exactly WHERE in the Division your file is, and because you're over 180 days and July/August apps have been approved before yours, you have the right to ask them to send an e-mail to the floor.

Keep the faith, Stephanie -- the most beautiful thing in the world is a woman with a smile on her face, and that Most Beautiful should be you.
[/quote]

Yeah, I found your post really interesting. But I find it even more disheartening to call and not get anything from it. In a few days they should be updating their processing times, and although I have no real great hope that it will move much more than a few weeks, perhaps it will. Either way, I think I will call again with your post in front of me next week.

Thanks for the encouragement.

I really hope you guys who have been waiting so long get approved soon - it does seem so unfair that you should have to wait so long and not get any info or news as to what is going on *hugs*

Hey tbone....

I think you and I should start a new club: the 180 day club, and anyone else who qualifies is welcome to join us; we could alternatively call it the 6m club, the half-year club. Any other suggestions?

Does anyone know the record for the longest 129f approval (ignoring rfe's, etc.)?

This really isn't fun, in fact i get more angry each day, but i am trying to think of ways to pass the time. To be honest, i start to get depressed when i think about how long it is taking.

I asked my congressman's office to schedule an appointment for me with the director of csc. She said they don't see people. I then asked her to schedule an appointment with the director's assistant. She said they don't see people. I told her i want to fly out and go to the service center. I asked her who i can see there. She said I can't see anyone there, I have to call customer service. That is the group responsible for handling my concerns. I said, "yeah, but you told me earlier that they are not allowed to give out any information." She said that is true, but i need to talk with them.

For the first time in my life, i feel i am living joseph heller's catch-22.

hey, whatever happened to the guy whose so was not talking with him because the process was taking so long? Did he ever get approved? Is he still wanting to be with that, uh, person?

hey, whatever happened to the guy whose so was not talking with him because the process was taking so long? Did he ever get approved? Is he still wanting to be with that, uh, person?

Can you call it the Over 180 crowd......because many of us like me are at 193........and there is a crowd of us........from both centers......I am telling you for sure that the ACLU is the only recourse here....and I can not stand them but they are at least talking to me.......Sue my own government wow it is like suing yourself.....crazy.....Lora

Seriously? lol

Ha! That´s meant to the Maria and John´s post I knew I should have quoted

I mean to the "she stopped talking to him" post...D´oh!

I am going to have to stop looking at the my timeline function. WHen I first added mine it had a predicted end date of the end of April , the May 1st then the 3rd and now it says the 5th . It seems to be getting further and further away from being done.

That's certainly as good as any name i've suggested....why don't we start a contest....let it go for a week and see who comes up with the best name...only qualification is 180 days..what do you think?

Thanks, Jeraly.

Haha - I gave up looking at mine ages ago - thanks to the wonderful work of WeeDebz, us July Filers have a spreadsheet to say who has been approved and when etc so I know I *should* be due NOA2 any day now... of course it isn't arriving and I have seen far too many people who are way beyond their projected VJ dates and still have no NOA2...



I'll come join you in a little bit I promise I'll try and keep things as upbeat as poss being the n00b to the group - save me a warm spot by the fire

yes, i just can't remember the dude's name..i'm sure somebody here remembers...it was only a few weeks ago

Start a different thread called Name this thread..........for those waiting over 180 days....both centers.....see what happens......I am game.....

Actually, he was just freaking out a bit and it only lasted a few days. I think I know who it was.. but maybe he should say?

aaawwwww...I feel left out!!!!

COME ON USCIS......christmas is coming! don't be a scrooge with the approvals!

Who knows...maybe the workers will be full of christmas cheer and over look things that may have resulted in RFE! I'll send them all some eggnog and mulled wine......that might help them get approval stamp happy!!


appoorooveee...stamp(upsidedown)..*hic*..... R..?..?........Rr efffff ?.........RFE..thats it......nah *hic* can't be bothered...APPROVE!!!

Hey - 180 is top score in darts...

I think we should set a deadline for submissions, and maybe a prize for the winner, certainly a trophy!!!!!

what suprises me is how close CSC and VSC are now with regards to processing. I remember being totally miserable when I first realised that my NSC file was being sent to the slowest place. Now I'm actually glad because I think it probably speeded this up for me!

Anyone have any idea how to turn off the e-mail notifications for board topics? I get so many and I know I have seen it before but now I can only find it for the PMs and friends things...

How about "The Runaround Around the World in 180+++ Days"?

Congressional offices cannot help us. They used to, but since USCIS held Congress' feet to the fire and got more funding, USCIS no longer listens (this per a long chat with my Congressman's aide, who fields many calls from those like us and is equally frustrated/stymied). He considers USCIS "our VERY worst" Federal agency.

Unsure who the guy was in your subsequent message. My fiancee was under constant pressure from her family regarding "what's the answer? when will it all happen?" and this caused us a bit of strain, but everyone now understands, and the strained situation is in the past.

Do consider, however, that it's your congressman's job to keep his/her constituents happy. So the aide has a lot of incentive to make you feel like he tried his best, but USCIS just wouldn't play ball. That makes them look good and USCIS look bad.

Not saying this is what happened, and dangit I'm not sure how I made myself out to be Defender of the USCIS, but any time I deal with a political office I always keep in mind what's in it for them. Having at one time worked on a political campaign and then been deeply disappointed by that person's actions once in office, I'm kinda jaded that way.

Sounds like you need to go to the "My Controls" page and then to "View Topics" under the "Subscriptions" heading (left side of screen). Select the topics or threads you do not want by checking the little box and at the bottom of the screen it gives you the option to unsubscribe the selected topics. Give it a try. Same thing if it is forums that are showing up. You can also change your e-mail notification at the bottom where it says unsubscribe.

Hope this does it for you.

Well, Mox, you risk our shillelaghing (cool new verb form) you over the head with a jade statuette, thus confirming you as statuesque (ha).

The aide with whom I dealt was a regular guy, intelligent and concerned, and he lowlighted other USCIS horror stories for me just to put my case in what I realized was proper (paltry) perspective. He further expressed his wish that the Congressman (not a bad guy, despite being of the "wrong" party) would actually pay attention to his aides, who are on the daily front lines regarding the futility of dealing with USCIS. The aide said, "It will literally take an Act of Congress for anything [with USCIS] to change."

Congressional offices, like us, also cannot phone directly to the "Division." They have a particular contact-individual, who has 72 hours to reply, and what that contact says, goes. Except in truly emergency circumstances, the answers are the same as to us -- "we have it; we'll work on it [when we get around to it]; just wait."

It will be very interesting to learn whether the ACLU has any better luck. Somehow, I doubt it, given USCIS's constant theme of "go away and don't bother us."

Thanks Navarre - I couldn't get my head round it for the life of me but knew I had seen it somewhere!! I'm here often enough and the threads I visit are busy enough that I don't think I need them for the time being!!!

Ok guys - you're not going to believe this.. But I think I might actually go make myself a hot choc (diet starts after Christmas again:P) and go downstairs *gasp* to watch TV and avoid that damn USCIS website - maybe it will hold news for me when I get back.. but then again maybe not

oh man, don't talk about diet... only 15 more days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

hey, aly: by the time you get your NOA2, the NVC-backlog will be gone and you will have your interviewappointment the same weeks as we do

Apropos of nothing, and completely off-topic, this made me laugh and imagine the following scenario:

Homeowner: We need these weeds removed.
Gardener: I know, I know. I completely sympathize.
Homeowner: So...um...you're going to get the weeds removed, right?
Gardener: Well, these things are pretty tough to get rid of.
Homeowner: Yeah...but um...that's why I called you.
Gardener: Look, I feel for ya. I really do. But it would take a gardener to get rid of all these weeds!

Also, "Never shake hands with a plumber." Is USCIS the gardener or the weeds, in this scenario?


And don't say "Congress," because Congress is the fertilizer!

Now wouldn't that be something!? Still nothing though so like I said - not really intending to get my hopes up anytime soon - it's obviously just not our time yet

On another note - I've just been watching "Don't Tell The Bride" on BBC3 - the groom has four weeks to organise the whole wedding from venue to wedding dress and colour scheme!! Is very cringe-worthy but had me in tears at the end Am so obsessed with weddings - it was all I could do to not bawl my eyes out when my cousin was walking down the aisle in August - I am going to be a mess in February - I bet I can't even say my vows cause I'll be crying so much!

You know what's interesting: Regarding my first (only) wedding so far, the wife-to-be and her mother did all of the planning. I was permitted NO input. I was told what would happen, what to do, how to dress, and where to be. I was actually treated like an irritating appendage (by the wife-to-be; her mother was a sweetheart). Perhaps unsurprisingly, the marriage (approximately two years of sheer hell) mirrored the wedding process.

In contrast, when the current fiancee has wanted to discuss our wedding (a cruel hoax of an idea, without an NOA2), she wants to show me places and run ideas by me for my endorsement. I have consistently told her "The woman plans the wedding, or she and her mother do. Whatever you want is completely fine with me, Carino," and she says "Nooooo -- that's not how it works!" I know intellectually that she's right, but to this day I have a tough time BELIEVING it. And, honestly, whatever makes her happy will make ME happy, but she wants me to contribute to the process.

If I'd stayed married, it would have been 20 years this year. However, the 2 actual years felt like 200. I get the distinct inkling that the anticipated-in-theory marriage, with Final Wife, will be much happier and of till-death-we-part caliber. Do you romantic women out there have any thoughts? No need to quote this entire rambling message.

Lol - I think it is interesting how she was happy with all of it apart from the dress which she changed to her "dream dress". It showed how well he knew her and what she liked (apart from the dress which she hated!). It has inspired me to ask my OH what he would pick for me should have to pick my dress or design my dress... would be interesting I am sure!!!

I think it should be a joint thing but again, it's almost like I want his opinion but I have the final say!! Not really - I want to make sure he is happy with things but tbh I think he could care less about most of it - as long as he is marrying me I don't think he really minds as long as I am happy

ok , its time for CSC to get it in gear. VSC has most of the approvals this week, and they are approving end of july filers.



Chris

I think you're right, but I think it has very little to do with romance... I think you're being shown respect, and treated as an equal, and that's a pretty healthy base for any relationship

congratulations on finding someone who treats you properly... it's a lovely feeling, isn't it?

Agreed!!! I'm fed up of waiting now!! CSC nee to get their behind in gear

---
Si, man, and thanks. By the way, although she is the most beautiful woman in the world, somehow she is not The Prettiest.

I think the reading we having at our wedding says it all....I love it...sorry I'm a romantic

'Love is a temporary madness, it erupts like volcano's, then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision You have to work out whether your roots are so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part.
Because that is what love is.
love is not breathlessness. It is not excitement. It is not the promulgation of eternal passion.
That is just being in love, which any fool can do, love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both Art and a fortunate accident.
Those that truly love, have roots that grow toward each other underground, and when all the pretty blossoms have fallen from their branches, they find that they are one tree, not two.'

---
The dickens you say, Debz!

It's from captain corellis mandolin

Well then, the dickens Captain Corellis Mandolin says! What branch of the service is/was he in? Nobody squeal on me, please, but I have already translated that stuff into Spanish (courtesy of the save-lifing www.freetranslation.com) and sent it to the fiancee. Gracias, Debz.

Freetranslation.com apparently does more than a halfway-decent job of translating English into (at least) Spanish, Italian, and German, but translating from at least Spanish and Italian back into English usually results in an incomprehensible Babel distinctly akin to Yoda-speak in "Star Wars." That's rather weird, because Span & Ital are far more "regular" than English -- far fewer idioms, more-consistent grammatical rules, more highly inflected (relying on word-endings more than word order), etc. I really can't fathom how anyone ever learns English as a second language, because it would drive ME bananas -- everytime there appears to be a rule of grammar, pronunciation, or orthography, there's at least one exception, usually irrational.

I once asked a Chinese pal how hard it was for the Chinese to learn English. He said, "Learning BASIC English is very easy. Beyond that, what we call 'elegant English' is something that very few of us ever achieve."

Tangentially, T-B.

WE GOT OUR NOA2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

---
An August filer... congratulations from a June filer!

CONGRATULATIONS

Thanks
Actually, I was a July Filer, I just didn't get my NOA1 from CSC until August, but they got the petition in July.
I really didn't expect it. My VJ timeline said 12/29.
I'd love to get the hardcopy before next week b/c I'm off to Germany. What a great Christmas present!!!

Indeed on all counts. I can feel your palpable joy all the way from wherever you are!

What a great present I think I will be unwrapping disappointment at this rate though!!!

Aly, avoid despairing overmuchly -- the CSC is obviously processing files from late July/early August right now. Just keep looking at the CSC & VSC posts, and the periodic compilations by The Prettiest and other friends here.

How cool would it be to get a christmas cracker in the mail...pull it and instead of a crappy cracker joke your noa2 falls out! (i'd be looking for my interview date!)


I'd love to have had my packet 3 and sent it off again.

I've found translate.google.com to be invaluable for translating to/from Russian. Not sure (but curious) how well they handle Spanish, but nothing else I've found, including a package I paid money for, even comes close to Google.

And congrats to all the recent approvals!!

Debz, please illuminate something for us mere Colonists: What exactly is a Christmas cracker? Is it like a Chinese fortune-cookie?

here be crackers

It has a snap in the middle and one person grabs each end - when you pull it you get a paper hat, a crappy joke and a piece of tat toy you don't want!