Interview!!

[marie007 1]

Hello all:

My interview experience , got approved.

I took a bus to Montreal, it took 12 hours, but never felt it. I slept most of the night, woke up and I was in Montreal. WOW . Got there on a Tuesday, appointment was the next day.

I stayed at the Holiday Inn Express, right on Rue Levesque, not far from the US Consulate.

Wednesday, I got up real early, 5 am. Had hurt my left toes, so dress shoes that I saved for was out. I had to wear sneakers with dress pants, and to make matters worse, my dress pants didn’t fit, I had gain at least 8 pounds. I manage to get them on, and worried about button flying off. Wore a long sweaters , to cover, just in case.

I arrive at the Consulate at 7:10 am by taxi, I could have walk since it was only a 15 minutes walk. But, it look like it was going to rain. I found the side door with the help of some constructions workers. I was the only one there, and then finally, people started to arrive and the line fill up .At exactly 7:30, the door open and a security guard ask me for my papers and passport. Ask me if I had any cell phone, I said no. I had brought a canvas bag , to put my files in, brought everything and that made it heavy. A very small purse and nothing else. Went inside, was greeted by three more security guard. They were very courteous .Even gave me a letter , lol, letter “A”.One told me to put all my things in basket, coat in one, the second all things that were in pockets, and the last my canvas bag with files. I, then went through one of those secured steel frame, like the airport. Told to go down the stairs and wait. There are chairs there and a photograph boot, and an elevator with a yellow tie. Oh, and lots of cameras .A man sat down next to me with his son. Ask me why I had letter “A”. I said, I have no idea. His son was so cute, probably about 6 years old. We talk for a while, guard came in and ask for letters “A” and “B”. Just a couple and me. Went up to floor no. 14, we were looking at the elevator to open and the guard said, behide you. Once there we sat down on the US Citizen side .It is so beautiful up there, you go see a lot of Montreal, so many windows. At 8 am, my name was called, go to window 11. Once there I was return a few papers and was fingerprinted. Strange machine, like a light systems. Sat down again, and waited for my name to be called for interview. At 9:05 am, my name was called, go to room no.19.

Well, I could not believe it, it was not a room or office, it was a box. Lol!! It was small in there. One chair and the Consulate, a woman was behide a wall with a glass window. There is a slot on the bottom of the window to pass papers .She greeted me, and was very nice . Took an oath to tell the truth. Ask me where we met, and if I had met my husband children. Return my marriage certificate and birth certificate. Ask me if I had committed any crimes. Ask me for Ex-Press post envelope. Then she gave me a paper with instructions for port of entry. I look at her and said, well does this mean , do I have the Visa? She smile and said , yes. She explain to me that I have 6 month to get my affairs in order, Not to open the envelope , once I get it in the mail along with my passport. She also explain my passport would be stamped by the border guard, and I can start working as soon as I am in Missouri .Told me I would be at the border at least an hour or so, to be prepare to wait. My visa and passport would arrive in 10 days. She also explain that I can be a dual citizen That is it!!! All over!!! At 9:30, I was out of there. I felt happy and sad all at the same time .Now, you guys are thinking, why sad? Well, I love Canada. I also love my husband.

I felt almost disappointed, that she didn’t ask for the new photographs that I was ask to bring. I was so ready, had all my files in order .Had work so hard in preparing for the interview. I notice when she was going through my papers, there was a photograph of me in front of her.

I walk out of there worried that she forgot to ask for the recent photograph, and I was not about to tell her how to do her job. Then I thought, well, ok.

Went back to Hotel to peel off dress pants, got into jeans, and went to the Desjardin Mall, 10 minutes walk .The rest of the time I went sight seeing. Went to Chinatown, went to a beautiful church. Took lots of pictures, even took pictures of US Consulate. I ate Asian food, and that was excellent. I had a really good time .Some people were friendly, some not so much. Found a Tim Horton. Found a grocery stores, IGA, which had everything .Bought a friend a few gifts.

Return home, the ride was longer, the bus was full .Once I got home, I thought back about the interview, that maybe she felt my happiness and my sadness upon being told I could go join my husband, And maybe that is why she said I would be a dual citizen . Although it says it on the letter she gave me .I gave away my 15 year old cat ,”Tiger” to one of my co-worker. They love him and everything will be fine for him .For me, my journey begins. Now, I didn’t study pass the interview, other than I know I have to remove the conditional status on anniversary date of port-of-entry. Some thing like that .I will be here asking questions when that time comes.

I could not have gone through all this without many of you. I have received kindness and support from this site. And I hope that I have contributed, some. You know, it’s a lot easier than I imagine .The interview was the thing I worried most about. The thing to remember is they are humans. Just people , like us. Thank-you Journey, for helping me do this.

Marie.

[sdw 10]

Congrats

[carslo 0]

Congrats! On to your new life

Janet

[Flames9_RN 358]

congrats

[OBX 51]

Congratulations

[Kevin & Maria 0]

Congratulations! ... and Goodluck to the rest of the journey!

[Ontarkie 13,979]

Congrats

[MrsCat 6]

Congrats Marie

[movingsoon1 0]

What a great experience! It went so smoothly for you. Congratulations. I love Montreal, it's where me and my fiance had our first date, it is such a romantic city.

[MrsCat 6]

What a great experience! It went so smoothly for you. Congratulations. I love Montreal, it's where me and my fiance had our first date, it is such a romantic city.

that is a great city for a first date!

[trailmix 77]

Congratulations

Also, not to worry about the new passport photos you took with you, they never took my Husband's either.

[to_hope 0]

Congrats!

[It's me 1]

congrats

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Congratulations - and great review. I loved that view from the Consulate as well. I'll guess that the church you saw was the Notre Dame Cathedral - absolutely breathtaking! Safe travels 'home' to Missouri.

[Hugglebuggles 60]

Congrats!! Sounds like everything went nice and smooth! But I know how you must feel. I love Canada, and my family... Moving is definitely bittersweet.