KS_Jayhawk

the whole idea of invisible borders that certain people can't cross because they were born on the other side is kind of ludicrous if you put aside all your ideological baggage and just think of it from a pure human rights perspective. If the patch of land you were born in sucks and you know about this other patch of land that offers a better life for you and yours of course you're going to do all you can to get to that better place even if you have to ruffle a few feathers along the way. so if someone wants to throw caution to the wind and illegally cross our borders and take jobs I, and pretty much every other legal resident of this country, have no interest in having then I say right this way your table is waiting.

a good way to fix the problem would be to throw some money at countries like Mexico and Cuba or the "problem" areas where people are illegally crossing from. Contract companies like halliburton to make those places better and more appealing for their residents to stay put. Pull some of that money out of rebuilding the countries that already violently hate us and rebuild some of our allies or neutral neighbors. that seems more mutually beneficial than protecting depleting oil reserves.

I can totally relate with what you're feeling. I'm lucky enough to have been in the United States for going on 3 years now, but the sarcastic and condescending comments and eye rolls I would get from "friends" and acquaintances still rings fresh in my mind. Both my wife and I endured some heavy life situations while living seemingly a world apart and that only strengthened our bond. The people who thought our relationship was fleeting or "cute" in a condescending way never seemed to have any real depth in their relationships. The cliche "easy come easy go" comes to mind as so many people these days give up on their relationships when met with friction or challenges. Relationships are work and when you find the one you know is yours, the peanut butter to your jelly so to speak, no invisible border or bureaucratic immigration system can keep you apart. Until one opens themselves up to that kind of love they will continue to roll their eyes, snicker and even try to stray you away from your happy ending. Good to hear your staying strong and I hope you make it home to your fella sooner than later.

Anyone who says feelings will fade over time might want to assess their definitions of love and marriage. I have been in the US for a couple weeks shy of 3 years and although I do get homesick from time to time, my love for my bride and our mutual happiness only gets stronger with the work we put into our marriage and the life we are creating. Haters gonna hate regardless. So awesome to hear about your happiness!

I'm sure it's a bit of work, but why not try making your own?

I will definitely when we get our own place. My wife and I are living with her parents and they have a tiny kitchen, but I love cooking and will def try when we get our own place in the new year.

If you want authentic perogies you might be able to find something at a Ukrainian, Russian or Polish market. Can't think of any off hand in the Springs or Denver, but I know there is a decent Polish, Russian, Ukranian population here so I would think they would have something in a local grocery market.

Here's a few in Denver at least that I just googled:

"Sawa Meat and Sausage" (On Wadsworth)

"European Mart" - Leetsdale

I haven't been to either, but I never minded Mrs T's perogies at all. I should ask my Polish/Russian friends here since they might know. I think the majority though of the people from those countries make them themselves, so you may be stuck just getting used to Mrs T's...

Thanksgiving next week and it'll be my first without my Canadian family, but I'm actually more upset that it'll be my first without pierogies!

I found a place out of Kansas City called Pieroguysthey ship across the country, but their shipping rates are a little high unless you order in bulk. I'm going there this weekend so I may drop by.

Where I'm from, every gas station has coffee, and quite honestly, I enjoy theirs just as much as anywhere.

I find that to be a rarity in canada. It seems there's no coffee, just a time hortons or william's connected.

That's very true. Plus McDonald's does a good job at filling the void.

Things I know I will miss:

My healthcare

Coffee Crisp

White Spot (west coast thing)

The mountains

Being able to walk anywhere

Being able to understand where you're going on the SkyTrain

24 hr. drivethru Tim Hortons

Ditto! I'm sure there are many pedestrian-friendly cities with fantastic public transit systems across America, but I did not move to one sadly. Also, as much as I would complain about Tim Horton's coffee being just coffee-flavored hot water, I do miss having an inexpensive alternative to Starbucks and the like around.

shortly after whining about my cell phone bill i was reminded by my wife that I was receiving quite a hefty discount from the cell phone company I worked for in Canada. Soooo missing my cell phone bill can officially be stricken from the record and I definitely do not miss my job. Sour Patch Kids are no match for Fuzzy Peaches and Cherry Blasters.

It's funny for my interview in Vancouver tax documents were not requested. I brought them anyway, but they never made mention of them. Just thinking aloud, you sound prepared good luck I hope all goes well!

ditto to the above post. we didn't use a lawyer and never experienced much friction.

Yikes, I am so sorry for your situation. I wish you luck and the only advice I can offer is to find the strength within you to keep moving forward whether this is with your spouse or without.

It's different state to state. I didn't bother getting a US drivers license until last week actually because my Manitoba license is good until 2015 or 1-year from the time I left the province. Anyway, I thought it was time to get some Kansas ID. Went to the DMV, which lived up (or down) to all the expectations set forth by sitcoms like Seinfeld and the like. It was awful, Purgatory-esque. Anyway, in Kansas they no longer simply transfer international DL's over and I had to do a written and road test. Thankfully I was able to do both same day and 5+ hours after arriving I had a temp DL while I should get a permanent one within 30 days.

I had my interview in Vancouver and they did ask for evidence, thankfully I went prepared. I had pictures, travel receipts including airline ticket stubs and hotel receipts, half a dozen pics some crudely printed from a ink jet but photos nonetheless, cell phone records, birthday cards and so much more. My interviewer shuffled through them quickly and I got the sense that I could have got away with less. My one piece of advice, however is this:

Don't leave ANYTHING to chance. You're always gonna have room for a few extra sheets of paper and will not regret being over prepared.

A guy ahead of me sadly was declined because of lack of evidence so don't listen to people on here who say they rarely ask for it. Maybe it's true in their cases, but don't cut any corners!

I've barely been in the US long enough to really miss a lot outside of family and friends, but being here nearly 4 months has allotted me to notice subtle things I truly miss:

CBC News is high up there. The national news down here seems to have a little too much entertainment value and less of what's actually going on. I understand the difficulties of this and needing to appeal to the largest audience, but still.

Hockey whether it's NHL, WHL, OHL, QMJHL doesn't matter I just miss hockey and I wasn't much of a fan to begin with. I suppose I was desensitized by TSN's 24 hour coverage of the sport, but I find myself getting nearly aroused when ESPN makes mention of hockey which happens about once a month at best.

Loonies and Toonies. Dollar bills are so incredibly annoying.

Maynards Candy specifically Cherry Blasters and Fuzzy Peaches.

My cell phone bill. I was in the sales business up north and I remember people complaining about cost in Canada about how much more we were paying than Americans do. Well, I paying one and a half times what I was in Canada for less data. Sure I have unlimited minutes, but I barely use 300 a month.

Hey folks,

I joined this site a few months ago and, even though I've had plenty of off time since then, I haven't bothered to really create a timeline sadly. I crossed the border into the US from Canada on July 21, 2012, married the love of my life on August 11, 2012, and filed my AOS and EAD quickly thereafter. Got notice earlier this week that my EAD was approved and received a text today that my USPS picked up my EAD card and should have it within a week. I feel very lucky that everything has gone with through very little friction, but also my love and I worked our butts off to make sure no corners were cut and we had more info than required.

Aaaaaanyway, this site has saved my sanity on more than a few occasions. It's priceless to know there are other people out there going through the same hardships and to know there are many more who made it through with their relationships solid as a rock at the end.

My name is Al and my wife Amanda and I are so happy to begin our lives together here in the Wichita, KS area. Kinda feels like after having my life on pause for the past couple of years I finally replaced the batteries and hit the play button just when the second act was starting to pick up.

So, yeah, "hello" and thanks to this website and everyone who supports it for keeping me sane!

Al