calliejoy

Congratulations!

How's the packing?

i had to fit my whole life in one 23 kg bag! left so much stuff behind in cape town.

it's worth it though. starting a new life so i don't have to take my old one with me.

Went for my interview yesterday and NAILED IT.

not at all as stressful as i thought it would be. the guy who interviewed me was amazingly nice, and even commented on how good we looked together in the photos. it just goes to show that even though the process is tough, these people aren't heartless and are just trying to do their job. love always wins out.

I'm picking up my visa tomorrow afternoon and am flying out on thursday night.

And now our crazy K1 journey is over.

I just want to say thank you to everyone who was so amazing in the time of stress with my fiance's broken femur.

He has been in and out of hospital since, and is there right now with a serious blood clot but i've booked my flight for thursday so I'll be with him soon.

The poor guy won't even be able to do a first dance at our wedding because of the pain. the recovery takes 5 months so we're having a small ceremony to make things legal on september 1st and then a big party in march 2013.

i'm so happy and i can't wait for you all to be feeling the sense of joy and accomplishment i'm feeling.

love conquers all, and at the end of the day, it's all worth it.

good luck and thank you for the support.

c

And ?what is her being there going to do? He is in a hospital where he has the best assistance and physical therapy he can get. I have personally met people who needed the expedite because of far more serious problems like cancer or other life threatening diseases.I'm not saying all this because I have something against OP or because I'm jealous or anything of that sort, I say it because there are people who honestly make a big deal out of everything. You can't go through the process of citizenship without thick skin. This is an open and public website, people can say whatever they please.

I understand exactly what you are saying, but in a moment of panic I reached out to a group of people for advice that I knew would understand.

Yes, it may not be a life threatening emergency, but when the person you love is scared and in pain, it's difficult to keep a clear head.

And me being there would help.

No matter what you think. Because he trusts me. Because he needs the love and support that only I can give him.

Can you imagine hearing the doctor tell you that you may have permanent damage to your leg, and not be able to have your fiancee hold you while you cry?

Jake is active. He is independent. The thought of being unable to do things for himself was frightening for him.

A doctor can't hold his hand and tell him he's going to be fine and that she'll be there no matter what.

They can't play scrabble with him or read to him to take his mind off the pain. So yes, me being there might not heal him, but it would sure as hell make it easier to get through.

In my opinion, saying ;I want to marry you", means I want to be there for you, no matter what happens and when you need me I'll do whatever I can to come running.

I have decided I am not going to apply because we are far along enough in our case to expect to go home soon, at the time i was unsure of our progress, but after talking to another south african member, I was reassured of the Joburg consulate's efficiency. However, if we were still far behind, and asking for an expedite for me to get to him faster was my best option, I have the right to take it.

We all do.

It's not an over reaction to do whatever you can to be next to a person who needs you.

I do have a thick skin regarding the process. I don't have a thick skin regarding my fiance's well being. And that's what works for us.

Some responses did come off as callous, but it's hard to gauge someone's tone over the internet.

I didn't take anything personally, because you don't know me and I don't know you. Everyone has different ways of dealing with things, and this was mine.

I'm not at home having a meltdown because a stranger came across as insensitive, trust me. 90% of everyone here has been compassionate, and I that's what I'm holding onto.

Thank you everyone.

He just got out of surgery and has a rod in his leg. The doctor feels it went well, but I don't know much more at this time.

His friends are all being wonderful, and he is being very well looked after so my heart is a little more at ease now.

My final decision is just to wait and see what the consulate says. I received our case number on wednesday, so will get to calling as soon as monday comes around. I'm sure it won't be long until we hear news about the interview. Luckily most of my papers are in order, I just have to have my medical. I need to go to a a consulate approved doctor to do that, right? Is there a list anywhere that lets me know who the approved doctors are? I'm starting to pack everything up tomorrow so I can be ready to leave as soon as my visa is granted. Buying a plane ticket right now is ill advised.

Your support has been so, ,so amazing!

I apologize if I seemed over sensitive at any point, but I'm sure you understand how heartbreaking it is to be away from the peson you love when they are in pain.

My reaction was admittedly a bit dramatic, but at least now my head is clear.

Thank you for the perspective and advice. I honestly do appreciate it.

Will keep going on the pre-determined K1 route, because I'd rather wait a little longer and not have to leave again. At least if I wait, we can stay together for good this time.

xoxo

Man alive< I can imagine what you are going through.

I would want to do anything and everything to be there.

However Jozi was really quick once we got our NOA2( although it was routed via an incorrect country) once they recieved everything, we got our packet 3 and submitted it and had our interview within a week. I had to wait for a few docs before i could submit our packet but it was really speedy. I suggest you have everything you need for packet 3 ready so you can submit asap and get your interview set up asap. The doctors app and medical was also set up in record speed.

Good luck and just keep sending loving and healing thoughts to your man until then <3

Thank you so much for your kindness and sympathy.

Today has been a wreck of a day.

I am waiting for the list of the required documents from Joburg still.

We hope to receive them next week.

I'll private message you if i need any more help.

It's good to see another SA person on here. <3

Thank you so much for your support.

I will call the consulate on monday, just to see how far along we are.

If we're not far along enough, I will leave as soon as I can. It's hard to prove employment because I'm a freelance writer, but we'll work around it.

He's about to go into intensive surgery right now, and in the painkiller haze keeps asking for me. it's so tough, but i guess it's all part of the journey.

it means a lot that you guys are so reassuring and quick to respond.

Glad to have a community that understands, despite some snarky people who are intent on sarcastically minimizing stressful situations.

Wil keep you posted on the situation.

thank you again.

He only boke his thigh bone. People brake bones all the time. This is not an emergency situation. Unfortunately he will be in a cast for quite sometime but he will be able to return to work with the cast on as well if someone can assist him with transportation after a period of time. So what is the emergency?

I'm sorry if the title offended you.

I was panicking because the love of my life is incredible pain, and since the break is incredibly bad, like completely separate, he may not be able to walk for three to six months, and may have to use a cane for the rest of his life, according to a doctor.

Obviously, I'm a little stressed, and at the time that i wrote this, it felt like an emergency.

i'll be sure to title my posts my posts accordingly next time.

I was stressed, and upset.

My apologies.

Hi there.

I just got the call everyone doesn't want to get a 4.30 am. My American fiance was in a serious skateboarding accident and has completely broken his femur. He's going to be in a cast for between 3-6 months, and i am beside myself.

We just received our NOA2 a month ago, and received our tracking number last week. We have not heard from the Johannesburg consulate yet, so naturally I assume it's still going to be awhile before we hear anything. I thought about going to him on my tourist visa,(which i still have) but some internet research says that there is a 95% chance I will be refused entry.

I'm a freaking out. I need to get to him. He just skyped me from the hospital and he is so drugged up he can barely string a few words together. He heads out to surgery in the morning, but it is possible there may be permanent damage. My heart is shattering every time I think about him being in pain without me there to hold his hand and reassure him. He is scared and I need to be with him right now.

Is there any way I can speed up the process?

In a frantic cloud of google search panicking, I read about expediting my visa, but I can't seem to make any sense of it.

What can I do?

If anyone has any advice or suggestions, please let me know.

Thank you so, so much.

Hi Everyone.

I'm from South Africa and my fiance is from the States. We met online in September, and I came to visit him on a tourist visa in October.

We got engaged in November and are now filling out our K1 visa applications. We should have all our forms together by Friday next week, and will be sending it off with fingers crossed for a short waiting time.

I have to return home to South Africa in April, and we've booked a wedding venue in Oregon for the end of July... How long do you think we're going to be waiting to get our interview?

I know you've probably heard that question a million times, but we're hearing one hundred different things from all over the internet. Anything from 3-9 months, supposedly.

Is there another couple from South Africa that could tell us what to expect?

Thanks so much.

C