APRIL '08 Vermont K-1 Filers

[Susita 175]

Raff! I hope everything works itself out for you, and that you get to the US asap!

How is everybody? What's new in everyones lives? I miss all of you guys!

I am working A LOT of overtime, saving up for the wedding and Christmas.

Mostly, that's why I haven't been online - other than the fact that Luis is hogging my computer, haha.

Take care guys!!!

Suzy

[KimandRuss 0]

Good morning April. I decided we are waaaaaaaaaaay too far back!

It's been just over a month now since my new husband has been back home with us. Our adjustment is a little different because we've already lived together here and abroad for so long. It just feels like how it's always been and almost as though the past year never happened. Weird.

We are still putting together the AOS package. I'm just not so motivated to get into all that paperwork again! Suppose I should do that today so we can send it off. As much as we enjoy our time together, I'm sure Russell would love to find a job in his field soon. The extra $$$ will really help too!

Hope everyone is doing well. Anyone heard from Graham and Meagan???

[Susita 175]

Hey Kim!

No I haven't heard from Graham or Meghan

I hope (I'm sure) everything's going well for them.

Me & Luis are happy, him and my kids get along great and I've been working overtime so he's been helping me out so much, packing their lunches & getting them ready for preschool in the morning for me. He watches them when I work late as well. He's a huge help. What am I going to do when he starts working??? lol

We went down to get his social security # and while we wait for it to come, I picked up the book to study to take the NYS permit test. So he's studying all our road signs etc. right now. He also watches soccer 24/7 and hogs my iMac so that's keeping him busy.

We're getting married in the beginning of December, I haven't made the appointment with the judge yet because we're waiting for his Birth Certificate to come in the mail (his brother is sending us a certified copy), so we can get the license.

Otherwise, all is well in NY except for the excess of RAIN these past few days. Luis has never seen rain like this ever so he thought it was pretty cool.

Take care guys, please pass by to let everyone know how it's going!!!

[*** 0]

WELL...the EAGLE has landed!!!

He made it! He's here.. finally

Thanks so much to everyone for your support and kind words during one of the most

difficult times in my life. It has all been appreciated. Our plans are to be married

on November 8th.

OH and the phillies are gonna win!

Much love,

JILL and Jamerson

[GrahamandMegan 1]

hello all! sorry we haven't been on to even update anyone! i'm sure everyone is enjoying their loved ones just as much as we are! we officially got married this past weekend the 25th. small church ceremony with a reception afterwards...close friends and family. turned out to be a very nice day, the morning was awful with the rain. but in the end we are now mr and mrs and thats all that matters to us! everything is going good with the bump also! gained 19lbs so far, not to bad lol...

hope everyone is doing just as well! we'll try to keep in touch better! sorry kim and suzy lol

love,

megan, graham and bump!

[HighwayStar 0]

My very best wishes to Graham and Megan (and bump) for their wedding! And to Kim for becoming a mod! I was one for some time on the board where Michael and I met, but after a while I stepped down because I was so stressed out with our situation. Anyway, I am so very happy about your promotion... There are lots of really mean people on this board who would benefit from being kept firmly in line.

[KimandRuss 0]

Good morning April...

Suzie, i'm glad things are going so well for you and luis and the kids.

Jill, have a wonderful wedding. congratulations to you both!

So nice to see you Megan, thanks for checking in. Please do keep us posted. Thinking of you guys lots!

Thank you Raff, We do have quite a diverse group here but I've run my own board for a decade now so I think it'll be just fine. You're very right, there is no need for nonsense here ...all of this is stressfull enough on those of us that use these forums. I'm flattered they'd ask and i'll do my best.

We are still flying pretty high over here. The weather is getting cooler but the trees are just breathtaking! We're still procrastinating on the AOS stuff. I have all the papers right here next to me and that's suppose to be what i'm doing... Anyway, we're off to Maine for another Halloween party tonight but i'll check in tomorrow. Hope you are all doing well and being happy!!!

[lili&kai 0]

Good morning April...

Suzie, i'm glad things are going so well for you and luis and the kids.

Jill, have a wonderful wedding. congratulations to you both!

So nice to see you Megan, thanks for checking in. Please do keep us posted. Thinking of you guys lots!

Thank you Raff, We do have quite a diverse group here but I've run my own board for a decade now so I think it'll be just fine. You're very right, there is no need for nonsense here ...all of this is stressfull enough on those of us that use these forums. I'm flattered they'd ask and i'll do my best.

We are still flying pretty high over here. The weather is getting cooler but the trees are just breathtaking! We're still procrastinating on the AOS stuff. I have all the papers right here next to me and that's suppose to be what i'm doing... Anyway, we're off to Maine for another Halloween party tonight but i'll check in tomorrow. Hope you are all doing well and being happy!!!

Hi all,

Congratulation to all of you that are now in the US, and all the best for everything It's good to read you it gives me the feeling that we will eventually make it too!!

I guess Kai&I are really the non-lucky April filers though! Before I moved back from Niger to France we did ask the vermont center to change my address so the case goes to the Paris consulate and they did say it was ok. However it seems like they gave the Niger address to the NVC, who logically sent our case there..

We then called Niger, asked them to transfer and thought they had, till we found out recently they hadn't. The consulate in Niger was very non professional plus very defensive agressive with me on the phone. I got the consul herself who just kept repeting "this is not an overnight process".. I was like "I'm aware of this it's been processing for more than 6 month, I'm just trying to track my case .." they basically kept our case there for no reason for one entire month. So frustrating... I also called the consulate in Paris (14euros) and got an guy on the phone who had no idea what he was talking about. NO IDEA. he was just useless and rude. I eventually got a consulate officer in Paris who knew what she was doing but was obviously overburdened by all the cases she has to deal with...

Another French couple from California had their NOA2 after us and they received their package 3 two weeks ago!! it just seems so unfair. I'm happy for them of course, but I want mine as well!!!

What I hate most in the whole process (appart that we are separeted of course) is how frustrated and angry it makes us feel. it's like everything is on hold..

So today I went to the cinema to see "the visitor". I guess I needed a story worst then mine to put my situation into perspective. At least I don't have a risk of being deported so it's not that bad...

Now we just have to wait, not knowing when the case will get to Paris. The consulate officer in Paris said they were scheduling interview for December right now, so by the time they get my case and we process package 3 we are more than likely to have an interview in January...

well, good luck to all of u with finishing K1 and starting AOS! and keep posting on VJ !

Lili

[Nicoxcx 1]

Have you tried calling DOS? (The USC) and seeing if they can help at all? or atleast give you more information on where your case is right now, physically. DOS know everything the Embassy do and most people say they are better than calling the embassy.

"this is not an overnight process" <-- that is incredibly insulting for them to say that to you.

Keep us updated with what goes on Hon, hopefully they have already sent it out and the french Consulate is efficient!

[KimandRuss 0]

Wow Lili, sorry to hear of all the confusion. However, i'm not too surprised. It's unbelieveably frustrating to me how many people there are in this 'field' that really just dont even know what they're talking about! I'm sure there are exceptions to this but the reality seems to be that most do not know or care...and even worse, don't have the compassion to deal with those of us already going through a difficult time. Address or Consulate changes should be easy enough to take care of but they really do seem to cause so much hassle for people.

Anyway, i'd call every day and hope you find someone that actually might know how to do their job!

[lili&kai 0]

Hey,

thanks for your messages. We are now waiting for package 3 from the Paris Consulate. There is no way to get a consulate officer on the phone (execpt if they call us as they did last week) so there's not much we can do now, but wait..

we'll keep u posted !

cheers

lili

[GauraD 0]

Well, this thread was all too hard to find so I'm bumping it back up

I guess everyone is busy enjoying life in the USA! And its probably almost time for a lot of us to start moving to AOS threads!!

Kim- wheres your wedding pics!!!!!! Graham and Megan- its so nice to see you 2 are together with the lil bump too!

I only have 3 weeks until my new life in Florida, so things are busy busy busy here! Cant wait for all of it to be over honestly and just be there already!!

Wish I could vote for Obama Though- I do hope whoever is President does SOMETHING to make me get more dollars for my pounds- its dropped soo dramatically :/ hehe...McCain is probably who I should be praying for then

Well, thats enough of a random bump post already....

love to all!!

[smchadwick 0]

Wow Lili, sorry to hear of all the confusion. However, i'm not too surprised. It's unbelieveably frustrating to me how many people there are in this 'field' that really just dont even know what they're talking about! I'm sure there are exceptions to this but the reality seems to be that most do not know or care...and even worse, don't have the compassion to deal with those of us already going through a difficult time. Address or Consulate changes should be easy enough to take care of but they really do seem to cause so much hassle for people.

Anyway, i'd call every day and hope you find someone that actually might know how to do their job!

Hey all! Glad to see everyone is doing ok!! Do any of you know where I can find a sample letter to extend the application for 4 more months? We were both ready to do this emotionally but unfortunately not financially. Still in the process of saving money, and with Christmas coming up, both of us need a bit more time. We're sad that this Christmas won't be our first together, but Gareth also wants to spend it with his family, so extending our app is a good and necessary option.

If you know where I can find the sample letter, please let me know! Thanks!!

Again, congrats to you all!!

Stephanie

[KimandRuss 0]

Hi Gaura, hope your transition goes smoothly. Umm pictures... still working on it.

Steph, They may do it automatically but heres an example I found...

Dear Honorable American Consulate of (name of consulate):

It is my understanding that pursuant to 9FAM 41.81 N3.1 (Period of validity), the consulate can extend the approval notice for another 4 months, if my fiancé and I remain legally free to marry and continue to plan to marry after my fiancé enters the United States.

Therefore, please be aware:

I and my fiancé continue to be legally single and free to marry.

I and my fiancé love each other and plan to marry after his/her entrance in to the United States.

If my I-797 approval notice has expired by the time of my fiancé’s interview,

I sincerely request that you extend the approval notice (copy attached) so that my fiancé, (name of fiancé) may receive the K-1 visa.

[smchadwick 0]

Hi Gaura, hope your transition goes smoothly. Umm pictures... still working on it.

Steph, They may do it automatically but heres an example I found...

Dear Honorable American Consulate of (name of consulate):

It is my understanding that pursuant to 9FAM 41.81 N3.1 (Period of validity), the consulate can extend the approval notice for another 4 months, if my fiancé and I remain legally free to marry and continue to plan to marry after my fiancé enters the United States.

Therefore, please be aware:

I and my fiancé continue to be legally single and free to marry.

I and my fiancé love each other and plan to marry after his/her entrance in to the United States.

If my I-797 approval notice has expired by the time of my fiancé’s interview,

I sincerely request that you extend the approval notice (copy attached) so that my fiancé, (name of fiancé) may receive the K-1 visa.

Thanks Kim!!