~Off Topic Thread 2009~

[*julez* 124]

Welcome back, Robin!!

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

oh, you said it... we don't intend to stay more than a few years, and then hopefully we'll be off back to Europe, but for many people this is their new homeland, and what a welcome! I was saying to Dave already - such a great idea on the behalf of the government, to ensure that these new arrivals live in a state of anxiety, anger and depression for their first year... great to add to the stresses of moving and leaving family and friends, giving up jobs etc, as well as adding stresses to new marriages, putting a US citizen as well as a newcomer under financial stress, etc etc

oh, this couldn't do the job better if they planned it that way

is what I've got a service request? the thing with the 45 days? if not, how do I go about getting one?

I blame USCIS for all of H's bad times the first year. He got his EAD no problem, but went for a job which said they would hire him but when he got his green card. I know that probably wasn't legal but it was what it was. Green Cards at LA office were being issued quite quick then so we thought it would be a matter of a few weeks and we had out interview scheduled anyway. Well we got stuck in name check hell and that situation, and losing that opportunity really sucked. The system is set up to make the immigrants first year as challenging as possible, IMO.

Welcome back, Robin!!

thanks julez. I started by first day back with an hour on the ellipitcal at the gym and a healthy oatmeal and fruit breakfast. I feel like such a good girl.

[*julez* 124]

Go Robin! I've eaten oatmeal for breakfast every day this week, but then ate a lot of ####### thereafter.

Baby steps.

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

It's all about healthy food for at least a month, I can not believe the amount of ####### I've eaten over the past 2 weeks getting my fill of pies, roast potatoes, full english and suchlike

[Jeraly 4]

Oh goodie - more healthy people to commiserate with

[Eli the Barrowboy 16]

oh, you said it... we don't intend to stay more than a few years, and then hopefully we'll be off back to Europe, but for many people this is their new homeland, and what a welcome! I was saying to Dave already - such a great idea on the behalf of the government, to ensure that these new arrivals live in a state of anxiety, anger and depression for their first year... great to add to the stresses of moving and leaving family and friends, giving up jobs etc, as well as adding stresses to new marriages, putting a US citizen as well as a newcomer under financial stress, etc etc

oh, this couldn't do the job better if they planned it that way

is what I've got a service request? the thing with the 45 days? if not, how do I go about getting one?

Hi StillThePrettiest,

Re: Service request. I called the USCIS and got through to a "real" person. She said that as I was approaching 90 days since the EAD started processing she would put through a service request. Anyway, as you know they came back and said that as we had had an RFE, we'd have to wait

Make sure you get a reference number - that way if they don't respond it will be easily found in the system and from what I've read they'll flat out deny they ever spoke to you if you don't have the number.

I've written to the Ombudsman today. We aren't in REAL financial dire straits but I can't say to them that I'm going to go nuts if I don't work. But the Mrs is back to Law School Monday and has $1k worth of books per semester to buy. Plus, as she is full-time in school we have no income whatsoever until I get out and start earning a crust. On top of that, the money we are living off was from my house sale in Ireland and was all I had in the world to give to my kids when I jump off this mortal coil so it's extra sad to see it dwindling to a meager pile. Just lucky we moved when the dollar was $2.02 to the GBP.

The congressman's office called yesterday and said I'd have to wait it out because of the RFE and I went off at the poor girl, all this animosity is really building up and I'm starting to think about what I gave up to come here.

R

[Robyn-n-Kris 72]

Congratz Robin! What a great gift to get!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and New Years. We tried to relax some. Still waiting on the USCIS but we are hopeful his AOS is approved soon.

[no name 1]

I blame USCIS for all of H's bad times the first year. He got his EAD no problem, but went for a job which said they would hire him but when he got his green card. I know that probably wasn't legal but it was what it was. Green Cards at LA office were being issued quite quick then so we thought it would be a matter of a few weeks and we had out interview scheduled anyway. Well we got stuck in name check hell and that situation, and losing that opportunity really sucked. The system is set up to make the immigrants first year as challenging as possible, IMO.

Congrats on the 10 year!

Edited January 7, 2009 by illumine

[*julez* 124]

Dev - where ya been hiding???

[no name 1]

Dev - where ya been hiding???

Not hiding, just busy with life...

[*julez* 124]

Gotcha. Well, its good to see you.

[elmcitymaven 9,711]

Julez -- just read your beat-down of Mr. Know-It-All and I think I love you.

[StillThePrettiest 3]

Make sure you get a reference number - that way if they don't respond it will be easily found in the system and from what I've read they'll flat out deny they ever spoke to you if you don't have the number.

thank you for the information

sounds like I've got a service request too then; they gave me a reference number and said they'd look into things... guess we'll see

...I'm going to go nuts if I don't work...

have you been volunteering? I'm the same as you; need the routine and something to focus on (though I've enjoyed the time off over the holidays as well ) and the volunteer job I've been doing has REALLY hit that spot... maybe I've just been lucky, but they've really given me responsibilities, and involve me in meetings and decision making and stuff, so it's really just like a job (except for the lack of paycheque )

my commiserations on it all... I usually avoid telling people 'I know how you feel' because I think it's overused and often not true, but in this case:

I know EXACTLY how you feel

[StillThePrettiest 3]

Julez -- just read your beat-down of Mr. Know-It-All and I think I love you.

I just found it (not fair to make a comment like that with no linky! ) and I think I love you too

[Jeraly 4]

I'm completely confuzzled...