~July 2007 K-1 Filers II~

[mox 298]

and I have the stomach flue since yesterday. sweet.

Get well soon!

[*julez* 124]

Nick got me a gorgeous belated engagement ring as he couldn't afford one 2 years ago. It's beautiful and totally unexpected.

Pics!!!

You echoed my thoughts exactly!! We need to see pics!

Yes! Pics!! That was a really great surprise debz! How lovely of Nick.

Agnes, I hope you're feeling better.

And Aly, I know its days late, but I also use a wine bottle for a rolling pin!

[Jeraly 4]

*still waits for pics*

What's everyone up to tomorrow night? I am going to clean the house from top to bottom because I am sick of the mess then I expect we'll sit in and watch heroes or something as that seems to be our favourite pastime at the moment...

[mox 298]

I'm gonna party like it's...er...1949 or something...probably won't even make it to the ball drop.

[*julez* 124]

We've been invited to 2 parties, but since we have no babysitter, we'll stay home and have my bro and a friend coming over.

[English Muffin 59]

I'm gonna party like it's...er...1949 or something...probably won't even make it to the ball drop.

Doubt if I'll make it either, I'll probably be in bed by 10pm with a good book.

[Ovaltine Jenkins 5]

We will be home having fun with the Baby I finally uploaded some new pics on FB so you can look

I dunno who inserted the whistling smiley above...it certainly wasn't me

[Jeraly 4]

Haha - marta - we missed you!!

*Runs to FB to check out the pics*

[chris4gretchen 1]

well you can update the Baby spreadsheet.

William Andrew Hill born Dec 30th......8lb 2 oz

you can see his pic here

http://www.friendster.com/photos/52142231/1/495881211

no interview date yet for AOS nor any touch since EAD.

Chris

[English Muffin 59]

well you can update the Baby spreadsheet.

William Andrew Hill born Dec 30th......8lb 2 oz

you can see his pic here

http://www.friendster.com/photos/52142231/1/495881211

no interview date yet for AOS nor any touch since EAD.

Chris

CONGRATULATIONS! :dance:

[tucson_chick 0]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

[*julez* 124]

What a little cutie pie! Congrats Chris & Gretchen!

[StillThePrettiest 4]

well, I had an interesting conversation today, with a woman who worked for INS (back when it was) for over twenty years, at an airport... she was a manager or something, so knew her stuff... she asked me about my situation, and told me the following:

- you're supposed to be able to extend the I-94

- everyone is supposed to get their EAD at the airport (she says she used to give out little laminated cards)

- the whole point of the K-1 is that you're supposed to be work-legal from the day you arrive

- when I told her about stamps only available at JFK, and long waits for EAD and AP, and so on, she didn't believe anything I was telling her, half in the 'you must be wrong' and half in the 'I can't believe it!!!' sort of way

looks like things have changed, but not for the better... she only got out of the business a couple of years ago though, so I guess it's gone downhill fast

[mox 298]

looks like things have changed, but not for the better... she only got out of the business a couple of years ago though, so I guess it's gone downhill fast

I absolutely HATE this phrase, but "9/11 changed everything." Procedures and processes changed almost overnight (well, overnight in government terms), and it's been a clusterf*ck ever since, because people felt like changing ANYTHING was better than taking the time to study what processes and procedures actually needed to be changed and then go about making that change in a sensible, organized way. (EDIT: which is not to imply that it made a whole helluva lot of sense pre-9/11, but it at least made *more* sense.)

I mean honest to god, what sense does it make to have someone not be able to work after entering on a K1? At the very least you should be authorized after you're officially married. The presumption is, after all, that you're here to stay. Making you wait serves zero purpose, and actually costs the government money in terms of salary and income taxes that you are not earning.

Edited January 6, 2009 by mox

[StillThePrettiest 4]

yes, totally agree with the above... if there are still worries about the marriage - which is the reason for there being different rules for people who have been married less than two years, or so I understand it - they can issue three month (or whatever) permits, which can be renewed as needed, before the permanent paperwork comes through... there are SO many ways to change it just slightly and make it more human, but are they interested? are they hell

I'm going to spend some time contacting various people about this whole thing, in coming months... not in any attempt to make my own process any easier - for a start, my process will hopefully be largely over - but just to raise awareness of how ####### it all is

I have told so many Americans about my situation, and to a one, they're surprised, and then outraged (and sometimes a bit embarrassed ); certainly none of them are aware... I think they should be made aware