Any Singaporeans in North Carolina?

[Haz&Ross 0]

Hi all,

My K3 visa is almost complete- I am just waiting to give the immigration officer the sealed envelope upon my arrival to US.

I am excited, anxious, and a little scared because come May 28th, I will be living in Charlotte, NC with my husband.

Of course I look forward to finally starting my new life with my husband, but at the same time, I have absolutely no friends in NC. My friends are living in other states far away from where I am based.

So, I am just curious to see if there are Singaporeans/Malaysians who are currently living near my area or anywhere else in the US.

I have less than a month to pack everything that I am bringing to the US, and I am starting to panic cos I dont know where to start...or how much of my savings I should bring along...

Any suggestions warmly welcomed...

[Reba 2]

No idea about Singaporeans or Malaysians, but there's lotsa VJers in North Carolina!

[J&D 0]

Haz&Ross, we're not from Malaysia or Singapore, although my wife and I did visit friends in KL and Singapore in October 2005 and really enjoyed our trip, but as Reba said there are lots of us VJer's in NC (we're in Charlotte also) so let us know when you are settled and we'd be happy to meet you and your husband for dinner some evening to welcome you to North Carolina.

As for things to bring..we know that feeling. We arrived in June last year with 4 suitcases and nothing more! We had to sleep on the floor of a very empty apartment for 3 nights until our new bed was delivered! But thankfully we are fully settled now and really like NC and the people living here.

Have a safe trip!

[Ephesia 0]

Ho say bo !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

lol.

Singaporean here, but living in Indianapolis, IN. Came on the K1 in June 2005.

Not sure how best to advise you on what to bring and how much because each person's situation is unique. After throwing out 12 big garbage bags of stuff I could do without in the USA, I packed up everything else and shipped it by SingPost's sea mail. It's the slowest but cheapest method of shipping. I also timed it such that the boxes will arrive 2 weeks after me. Sea mail takes 2-3 months, fyi. SingPost will also send a guy to your place to pick up all the boxes if you call them and let them know how many boxes you are shipping.

Before I started packing my stuff, I went to the nearest SingPost to buy a bunch of boxes and get a dozen forms that I have to complete for shipping purposes. Just let them know what you are doing and they'll give you what you need. The aunties at the SingPost I went to were so excited that I was going to America to marry an ang moh. LOL.

Before you seal each box, make sure you put a copy of your visa page and address on top of the stuff in the box, in case stuff gets misdirected en route to you.

I checked in two suitcases of clothes + other essentials, and carried one hand luggage + wedding dress with me on all 3 flights to Indy. I brought US$7,000 with me. Any amount above US$10,000 must be declared at customs at your POE.

I kept enough funds in my OCBC account back home because I am maintaining an insurance policy there and the premium gets deducted once a year. I cancelled all my Singapore credit cards, and paid a visit to the IRS with a letter to request they stop sending their tax forms because I was migrating to the US. Make sure you send change-of-address letters to your banks if you are not closing any of your accounts. They will send all your statements to your US address. If you haven't already done so, acquire online access to all your accounts so you can continue to check on them from here.

Register with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on their website, so at least someone official knows you are in the US. They'll also send you quarterly newsletters about the latest in Singapore. Very glossy and colorful.

If you think you are going to miss local food when you get here, visit the following websites:

http://www.asianhomegourmet.com

http://www.mytasteofasia.com

They are my life savers, especially during winter. LOL.

Yell if you want to know anything else. There are a few Singaporeans and Malaysians in the USA. Someone started a thread awhile ago about any Malaysians in Texas. So I burst out laughing when I saw your thread on North Carolina.

Have a safe journey here! Don't panic. Stay calm and you will have a more pleasant time getting ready for your big move.

Hi all,

My K3 visa is almost complete- I am just waiting to give the immigration officer the sealed envelope upon my arrival to US.

I am excited, anxious, and a little scared because come May 28th, I will be living in Charlotte, NC with my husband.

Of course I look forward to finally starting my new life with my husband, but at the same time, I have absolutely no friends in NC. My friends are living in other states far away from where I am based.

So, I am just curious to see if there are Singaporeans/Malaysians who are currently living near my area or anywhere else in the US.

I have less than a month to pack everything that I am bringing to the US, and I am starting to panic cos I dont know where to start...or how much of my savings I should bring along...

Any suggestions warmly welcomed...

[Haz&Ross 0]

Haz&Ross, we're not from Malaysia or Singapore, although my wife and I did visit friends in KL and Singapore in October 2005 and really enjoyed our trip, but as Reba said there are lots of us VJer's in NC (we're in Charlotte also) so let us know when you are settled and we'd be happy to meet you and your husband for dinner some evening to welcome you to North Carolina.

As for things to bring..we know that feeling. We arrived in June last year with 4 suitcases and nothing more! We had to sleep on the floor of a very empty apartment for 3 nights until our new bed was delivered! But thankfully we are fully settled now and really like NC and the people living here.

Have a safe trip!

Hi Reba, Hi J&D!

Oh thats great to know that there are lots of VJer's in NC!!

Would love to have dinner with you guys! Both my hubby and I will be in NC at the end of May.

I was just telling my husband the other day that I am so afraid I would feel lonely & bored when he is at work especially since

1) I wont be able to apply for jobs/work until I file for adj of status and the EAD thingy

2) I wont be able to drive yet (tho I have a driving licence in Singapore)

But I told my husband I am very happy to know there are other VJer's in NC, and would be able to make new friends!

[Haz&Ross 0]

Ho say bo !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

lol.

Singaporean here, but living in Indianapolis, IN. Came on the K1 in June 2005.

Not sure how best to advise you on what to bring and how much because each person's situation is unique. After throwing out 12 big garbage bags of stuff I could do without in the USA, I packed up everything else and shipped it by SingPost's sea mail. It's the slowest but cheapest method of shipping. I also timed it such that the boxes will arrive 2 weeks after me. Sea mail takes 2-3 months, fyi. SingPost will also send a guy to your place to pick up all the boxes if you call them and let them know how many boxes you are shipping.

Before I started packing my stuff, I went to the nearest SingPost to buy a bunch of boxes and get a dozen forms that I have to complete for shipping purposes. Just let them know what you are doing and they'll give you what you need. The aunties at the SingPost I went to were so excited that I was going to America to marry an ang moh. LOL.

Before you seal each box, make sure you put a copy of your visa page and address on top of the stuff in the box, in case stuff gets misdirected en route to you.

I checked in two suitcases of clothes + other essentials, and carried one hand luggage + wedding dress with me on all 3 flights to Indy. I brought US$7,000 with me. Any amount above US$10,000 must be declared at customs at your POE.

I kept enough funds in my OCBC account back home because I am maintaining an insurance policy there and the premium gets deducted once a year. I cancelled all my Singapore credit cards, and paid a visit to the IRS with a letter to request they stop sending their tax forms because I was migrating to the US. Make sure you send change-of-address letters to your banks if you are not closing any of your accounts. They will send all your statements to your US address. If you haven't already done so, acquire online access to all your accounts so you can continue to check on them from here.

Register with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on their website, so at least someone official knows you are in the US. They'll also send you quarterly newsletters about the latest in Singapore. Very glossy and colorful.

If you think you are going to miss local food when you get here, visit the following websites:

http://www.asianhomegourmet.com

http://www.mytasteofasia.com

They are my life savers, especially during winter. LOL.

Yell if you want to know anything else. There are a few Singaporeans and Malaysians in the USA. Someone started a thread awhile ago about any Malaysians in Texas. So I burst out laughing when I saw your thread on North Carolina.

Have a safe journey here! Don't panic. Stay calm and you will have a more pleasant time getting ready for your big move.

Hi all,

My K3 visa is almost complete- I am just waiting to give the immigration officer the sealed envelope upon my arrival to US.

I am excited, anxious, and a little scared because come May 28th, I will be living in Charlotte, NC with my husband.

Of course I look forward to finally starting my new life with my husband, but at the same time, I have absolutely no friends in NC. My friends are living in other states far away from where I am based.

So, I am just curious to see if there are Singaporeans/Malaysians who are currently living near my area or anywhere else in the US.

I have less than a month to pack everything that I am bringing to the US, and I am starting to panic cos I dont know where to start...or how much of my savings I should bring along...

Any suggestions warmly welcomed...

Hi Ephesia!

Cool...a fellow Singaporean in US! Wow, so you have been in the US for almost 2 years already?

Hows it been so far? Were you homesick at all? Did you have difficulty adjusting to your new life?

Many thanks for your valuable advice...its really really helpful and I really appreciate it!!

[Ephesia 0]

Hi again, Haz

No, I was not homesick at all after I moved here. There was only one time when I felt really sad to be so far away from Singapore. That was in Oct 2005 when my niece was born. That was the first time I became an aunt, and I am very close to my brother. So it was a bit painful to not be there. My brother recorded her first cries and then played them back on the phone when I called him. Needless to say, I cried like my niece after that. It was so cool to hear her first cry but it was also difficult to be more than 5,000 miles away. I got to carry her for the first time last Oct when I went back for a visit. She's cute.

Adjusting has been very smooth since day 1. I think visiting here several times in 2 years before my visa was approved helped a lot. I already knew what to expect and what not to expect. I also like having different seasons in a year. It's refreshing.

I love my life here. I have a good job, wonderful co-workers, and very supportive and loving in-laws. In fact, sometimes my mother-in-law talks to me more often than to my husband. LOL.

What I have learned to adjust to:

1) Driving on the right side of the road. Thank goodness I never learned to drive in Singapore (you will miss our MRT when you move to the US btw ), but it was still a bit strange at first to know that I can turn right at a red light as long as I first yield to traffic that has the right of way.

2) TV commercials where companies 'bash' their competitors openly. You'll never see an M1 ad that bashes SingTel directly in Singapore. Here, it's so common that it's funny.

3) Election campaign commercials on TV and the radio. Very, very, very irritating. If your husband doesn't have it already, tell him to get TiVO for you. You'll thank me later.

4) The humongous portions of food here. I always bring home a box of leftovers from whatever restaurant I eat at. Too much food.

5) Americans thinking Singapore is part of China/Japan/India. Yes, you will find yourself explaining many times where you are from.

6) Americans who are genuinely surprised by our proficiency in the English language. They think it's phenomenal that English is the first language in Singapore and we have to pass our English exams in order to advance to the next level of our education. You will feel very proud of our country quite often.

The only thing I still struggle with learning is the imperial system of measurements here. I am not 100% familiar with my inches, yards, feet, ounces, and lbs. I find myself still thinking in metric sometimes.

The most important thing to do when you move to any new country is to keep a very open but sound mind. Learn as much as you can, and adjust as much as you can. But remember you don't have to like everything you see or hear. Be accepting and forgiving, but firm. Don't be quick to throw away all you have gained from growing up in Singapore, but also don't be quick to criticize how some things are done here. The US is not perfect, neither is Singapore. We're only here because we happened to fall in love with someone who's from here.

Good luck with everything and keep me updated!

Edited May 3, 2007 by Ephesia

[Haz&Ross 0]

Hi again, Haz

No, I was not homesick at all after I moved here. There was only one time when I felt really sad to be so far away from Singapore. That was in Oct 2005 when my niece was born. That was the first time I became an aunt, and I am very close to my brother. So it was a bit painful to not be there. My brother recorded her first cries and then played them back on the phone when I called him. Needless to say, I cried like my niece after that. It was so cool to hear her first cry but it was also difficult to be more than 5,000 miles away. I got to carry her for the first time last Oct when I went back for a visit. She's cute.

Adjusting has been very smooth since day 1. I think visiting here several times in 2 years before my visa was approved helped a lot. I already knew what to expect and what not to expect. I also like having different seasons in a year. It's refreshing.

I love my life here. I have a good job, wonderful co-workers, and very supportive and loving in-laws. In fact, sometimes my mother-in-law talks to me more often than to my husband. LOL.

What I have learned to adjust to:

1) Driving on the right side of the road. Thank goodness I never learned to drive in Singapore (you will miss our MRT when you move to the US btw ), but it was still a bit strange at first to know that I can turn right at a red light as long as I first yield to traffic that has the right of way.

2) TV commercials where companies 'bash' their competitors openly. You'll never see an M1 ad that bashes SingTel directly in Singapore. Here, it's so common that it's funny.

3) Election campaign commercials on TV and the radio. Very, very, very irritating. If your husband doesn't have it already, tell him to get TiVO for you. You'll thank me later.

4) The humongous portions of food here. I always bring home a box of leftovers from whatever restaurant I eat at. Too much food.

5) Americans thinking Singapore is part of China/Japan/India. Yes, you will find yourself explaining many times where you are from.

6) Americans who are genuinely surprised by our proficiency in the English language. They think it's phenomenal that English is the first language in Singapore and we have to pass our English exams in order to advance to the next level of our education. You will feel very proud of our country quite often.

The only thing I still struggle with learning is the imperial system of measurements here. I am not 100% familiar with my inches, yards, feet, ounces, and lbs. I find myself still thinking in metric sometimes.

The most important thing to do when you move to any new country is to keep a very open but sound mind. Learn as much as you can, and adjust as much as you can. But remember you don't have to like everything you see or hear. Be accepting and forgiving, but firm. Don't be quick to throw away all you have gained from growing up in Singapore, but also don't be quick to criticize how some things are done here. The US is not perfect, neither is Singapore. We're only here because we happened to fall in love with someone who's from here.

Good luck with everything and keep me updated!

Hi again, Haz

No, I was not homesick at all after I moved here. There was only one time when I felt really sad to be so far away from Singapore. That was in Oct 2005 when my niece was born. That was the first time I became an aunt, and I am very close to my brother. So it was a bit painful to not be there. My brother recorded her first cries and then played them back on the phone when I called him. Needless to say, I cried like my niece after that. It was so cool to hear her first cry but it was also difficult to be more than 5,000 miles away. I got to carry her for the first time last Oct when I went back for a visit. She's cute.

Adjusting has been very smooth since day 1. I think visiting here several times in 2 years before my visa was approved helped a lot. I already knew what to expect and what not to expect. I also like having different seasons in a year. It's refreshing.

I love my life here. I have a good job, wonderful co-workers, and very supportive and loving in-laws. In fact, sometimes my mother-in-law talks to me more often than to my husband. LOL.

What I have learned to adjust to:

1) Driving on the right side of the road. Thank goodness I never learned to drive in Singapore (you will miss our MRT when you move to the US btw ), but it was still a bit strange at first to know that I can turn right at a red light as long as I first yield to traffic that has the right of way.

2) TV commercials where companies 'bash' their competitors openly. You'll never see an M1 ad that bashes SingTel directly in Singapore. Here, it's so common that it's funny.

3) Election campaign commercials on TV and the radio. Very, very, very irritating. If your husband doesn't have it already, tell him to get TiVO for you. You'll thank me later.

4) The humongous portions of food here. I always bring home a box of leftovers from whatever restaurant I eat at. Too much food.

5) Americans thinking Singapore is part of China/Japan/India. Yes, you will find yourself explaining many times where you are from.

6) Americans who are genuinely surprised by our proficiency in the English language. They think it's phenomenal that English is the first language in Singapore and we have to pass our English exams in order to advance to the next level of our education. You will feel very proud of our country quite often.

The only thing I still struggle with learning is the imperial system of measurements here. I am not 100% familiar with my inches, yards, feet, ounces, and lbs. I find myself still thinking in metric sometimes.

The most important thing to do when you move to any new country is to keep a very open but sound mind. Learn as much as you can, and adjust as much as you can. But remember you don't have to like everything you see or hear. Be accepting and forgiving, but firm. Don't be quick to throw away all you have gained from growing up in Singapore, but also don't be quick to criticize how some things are done here. The US is not perfect, neither is Singapore. We're only here because we happened to fall in love with someone who's from here.

Good luck with everything and keep me updated!

Im glad to hear you were not homesick... and that everything has been going smoothly for you... I hope I would have an equally easy transition too..

You are right...having 4 seasons a year is indeed refreshing as opposed to having hot sunny weather and occasional rain throughout the year...

One of the things I like and am looking forward to in the US is the pace of living- Im dying to get out of the hectic and busy lifestyle here, people work and work, and then they flock to the malls, which are always too crowded to my liking! But of course I will miss the cleanliness and orderly environment here...

1) Driving on the other side...thats gonna be one of thing I will have to learn fast, cos I know there is literally no public transport there... but it freaks me out to drive 'against' traffic lol, I would need lots of time to get used to that...oh! and I cant wait to drive my OWN car, cos I certainly cant afford a car (thats worth buying) in Singapore

2) Food portion- You are absolutely right!! Everytime I come home from the US, I always gained weight! It must be the overdose of all the cheese and carbo ... I certainly would have to work out if I want to keep in shape... heheh

5) and 6) ---once again you are right! I have to explain that MANY MANY times to my hubby's friends and family. They seem to be surprised that we could speak relatively good English...

Once again, thanks for the valuable inputs and advice!

[alone 0]

Hi there,

Me and my fiance are applying for K1. He's from New Bern, NC and we'll be living there as soon as we get our VISA. Though Im not Singaporean, Im still Asian like you

[kokorusan 0]

Hey Haz,

Warm welcome to you this end of May!! I am sure you must be excited and at the same time nervous.!! I am a Malaysian living in Burlington, NC. I came here last year September and got married in October.We hope to move to Greensboro in a few months..

NC is a southern state and famous for its' southern hospitality. There are a few food chains available only in the southern states but not found in any other states like Chick-Fil-A and Cracker Barrel and Sweet tea is a huge thing here although it is nothing like our very own teh tarik and teh ais limau there...

Ow, and the accent here is also a little different with heavy southern accent and it is different with people coming from the North too.

There are a lot of network online that you can join to meet other singaporean/malaysian here in NC. I know a few malaysian/ singaporean here that joins SINMA. I have never been to any of their meeting but there is another network from meetup.com that you can try to find some friends with the same culture too!!

Have fun!!

[Haz&Ross 0]

Hey Haz,

Warm welcome to you this end of May!! I am sure you must be excited and at the same time nervous.!! I am a Malaysian living in Burlington, NC. I came here last year September and got married in October.We hope to move to Greensboro in a few months..

NC is a southern state and famous for its' southern hospitality. There are a few food chains available only in the southern states but not found in any other states like Chick-Fil-A and Cracker Barrel and Sweet tea is a huge thing here although it is nothing like our very own teh tarik and teh ais limau there...

Ow, and the accent here is also a little different with heavy southern accent and it is different with people coming from the North too.

There are a lot of network online that you can join to meet other singaporean/malaysian here in NC. I know a few malaysian/ singaporean here that joins SINMA. I have never been to any of their meeting but there is another network from meetup.com that you can try to find some friends with the same culture too!!

Have fun!!

Hi Kokorusan!

Nice to hear from you.. and great to know one more person from NC area!

Oh yeah! My husband loves 'Chick-Fil-A'! I havent heard of Cracker Barrel yet, but I agree with you- I always drink sweet tea when I dine out- although I do find that at times it is too sweet for me...I must remember to bring the teh tarik satchets from Singapore

Yeah! Some of them do speak with a very heavy southern accent- and at times I do find it hard to comprehend- but I guess I just have to get used to that...

Is SINMA an online community? Could you give me the website address? Would love to be a part of that...

[astridstleger 0]

hey!!! how nice to meet you!!! Well, I'm from Singapore yes yes and then I went to university in canada and then I met my boyfriend online and now, 15 months later we have decided to get married!!! I'm soo happy really but kinda freaked out at the same time because I'm in canada and he's from North dakota. I visited his family twice and it was soooo fun and wonderful. I've been looking at the applications and we are not sure to get married first or apply then get married. how did you and your husband meet? which application did you go for? Was it hard? Tell me all about please!

p.s: i love the chinese buffets in the states.. seriously, awesome!!! kung pao chicken. general tsao chicken haha but i miss my mee rubus everyday and wan tan mee too!!! their asian food here has like little similarities to singaporean food..

Edited May 20, 2007 by astridstleger

[Ephesia 0]

Hi Astridstleger!

It was more clear-cut for us to go by the K1 route because I was still in Singapore. It took us exactly 9 months to get the visa from the day he mailed off the petition to the day the US embassy in Singapore put the visa in my passport. It was not a horrible process. Just a little long and expensive. It also produced three box files of paper for me when the process was finally complete. LOL.

Been in Indianapolis, IN since June 2005 and it's great. I like living here and experiencing four seasons.

All the best in your process, whatever you and your fiance decide!

hey!!! how nice to meet you!!! Well, I'm from Singapore yes yes and then I went to university in canada and then I met my boyfriend online and now, 15 months later we have decided to get married!!! I'm soo happy really but kinda freaked out at the same time because I'm in canada and he's from North dakota. I visited his family twice and it was soooo fun and wonderful. I've been looking at the applications and we are not sure to get married first or apply then get married. how did you and your husband meet? which application did you go for? Was it hard? Tell me all about please!

p.s: i love the chinese buffets in the states.. seriously, awesome!!! kung pao chicken. general tsao chicken haha but i miss my mee rubus everyday and wan tan mee too!!! their asian food here has like little similarities to singaporean food..

[Haz&Ross 0]

hey!!! how nice to meet you!!! Well, I'm from Singapore yes yes and then I went to university in canada and then I met my boyfriend online and now, 15 months later we have decided to get married!!! I'm soo happy really but kinda freaked out at the same time because I'm in canada and he's from North dakota. I visited his family twice and it was soooo fun and wonderful. I've been looking at the applications and we are not sure to get married first or apply then get married. how did you and your husband meet? which application did you go for? Was it hard? Tell me all about please!

p.s: i love the chinese buffets in the states.. seriously, awesome!!! kung pao chicken. general tsao chicken haha but i miss my mee rubus everyday and wan tan mee too!!! their asian food here has like little similarities to singaporean food..

Hi Astridstleger! Nice to meet you too...another Singaporean!

Firstly, congrats to you I took the K3 route (ie get married first in Singapore, and then apply for spouse visa) because my parents insisted I get married in Singapore- to have the cultural and traditional wedding. We applied last October, and I only got the necc applications approved (that allows me to stay in US to wait for green card approval) last April. So that means it took about 6 months.

But if you ask me, if I had a choice, I would have taken the K1 route because being separated from your husband after marriage just sucks! and it is pure misery... I am so glad I got THAT out of the way! There are many forms you would have to fill up, and it can be confusing sometimes- but this forum is really great and helpful so you can get help here...

Well, I met my husband on the domestic plane on my return trip to Singapore while I was there visiting a friend. He was sitting beside me, and we talked for the whole 2.5 hours! He asked for my contact details, and we stayed in touch after that. He visited me in Singapore 3 months after, and we started a long distance relationship for about 2.5 years before deciding to get married.

[shanna 0]

Hi Haz&Ross and everyone else on this thread !

My name is Shak (nick's Shanna) and I'm also from Sing-Sing. Oh boy! Those websites for the Asian food were Da Bomb!!!! Hv to check em out. I've been here in Seattle for about 3 and a half years and so far, despite the roller coaster ride of emotions and experiences, it's been worth it!

Just holler if anyone needs anything!

Shak